What do Turkeys have to do with Management?
Today is the day before Thanksgiving. It also happens to be the 7-year anniversary of my dad’s passing. It’s been 7 years since I last heard his voice…7 years since I last held his hand as he took his final breaths. So, naturally, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and reflecting.
I’ve written about my dad a few times on my blog. After all, he was not only my dad, but my first boss, my boss for eight years after I graduated university, and one of the most influential people in my professional life today. I think about his sayings often…and about his business practices and mannerisms – mostly good…some, just human.
My Dad started his own company in 1974 and ran it until 2015 or so. Over 40 years. And he had a unique tradition that I’ve never seen anywhere else. Every year on the day before Thanksgiving he gave every employee a turkey. Usually around 20-25 pounds, this was a turkey that these people counted on each year to stuff and prepare the next day for their family gathering. And his employees all really loved and appreciated it genuinely.
At first, I found this tradition somewhat quirky. Why a turkey? What if they go to someone else’s house for the holiday? (A: They would prepare it some other time during the holiday season…maybe at Christmas.) What if they bought a turkey already? (A: That was a mistake only made once because every year thereafter, that person would know they’d be getting a turkey from my dad.) What if they didn’t like turkey? (A: That wasn’t the point.)
Later, I began to see it as a kind and thoughtful gesture – just something my dad did.
It wasn’t until much later in life that I really started to see it for what I believe it meant to my dad and to all of his employees. The meaning behind it was (at least) threefold: sustenance, togetherness, and gratitude.
Sustenance. My dad ran a construction business and many of the employees were blue collar. And, frankly, sometimes their personal and financial situations got dicey…or touch-and-go. So, the ability for my dad to always provide food for them and their families during this holiday gave him a tremendous sense of pride.
Togetherness. For my dad, Thanksgiving was all about togetherness. The family, friends, and sometimes even strangers who had no other place to go, gathered around a table overflowing with delicious food. So, by giving a turkey to each of his employees, he was giving them the centerpiece…the cornerstone…to a big meal together with their loved ones.
And gratitude. This was my dad’s way of saying thank you to all of his employees. Thank you for all your hard work, dedication, commitment, and yes – even your friendship. Thank you for putting your trust in me to provide for you and your family. Thank you for fighting the good fight that is business alongside me every day.
So, it turned out to be not quirky at all. But a thoughtful, meaningful, and powerfully symbolic gesture that was his every single year.
From my family to yours – Happy Thanksgiving.
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