Thanksgiving is more than a meal—it’s a leadership and strengths demonstration in the wild, showcasing and experiencing unique talents in real-time, served with a side of gravy.
Let’s see if you recognize yourself or if you spot any notorious relatives…
☑️ Achiever: Getting up at 6 AM to prep, cook, clean, and manage the 50-step process to make Grandma’s secret stuffing recipe. Because why settle for less than everything?
🏇 Activator: “Let’s just get started!” Whether it’s passing out hors d’oeuvres or diving into the family football game, you’re setting the pace for the day. This is not the time to rest!
🪽 Adaptability: Turkey overcooked? Gravy too salty? Aunt Linda brought her surprise jello salad? No problem, you can wing it and pivot like a pro.
🔍 Analytical: You’ve calculated exactly how much stuffing, pie, and cranberry sauce each person will need. You know exactly how long it takes to cook and prepare every single dish.
🪄 Arranger: You’re the conductor of the Thanksgiving orchestra. Timing the sides, arranging chairs, and coordinating the impromptu board game after dinner? Easy! And if something changes, we’ll pivot.
🙏 Belief: You’re the keeper of the traditions. Your unwavering commitment ensures the family toast, the classic recipes, and the gratitude circle remain sacred.
🗣️ Command: When chaos erupts (a gravy spill, a kids’ table rebellion), you step in with ease and authority. Problem solved, dinner saved.
🎤 Communication: Every dish comes with a story, every toast is a mini-speech, and you’ve got a dad joke ready for every family member. No matter if they roll their eyes or not…
🏁 Competition: Thanksgiving isn’t just a meal; it’s an event. You’re in it to win it. Your stuffing will be the best. Your pie will outshine Aunt Carol’s. Game on.
🌎 Connectedness: You remind everyone that Thanksgiving isn’t just about food but about the bigger picture: love, gratitude, and togetherness.
⚖ Consistency: Everyone gets the same perfectly measured slice of pie. Your holiday runs like clockwork, just like it does every year.
🤔 Context: “Remember when we first started the kids’ table?” You bring the history to life and keep the stories flowing.
⚠️ Deliberative: You’ve already anticipated the oven snafu and have a backup casserole in the fridge. Risk management? Check.
🧑🏫 Developer: You hand the carving knife to your cousin learning the ropes. Everyone gets a chance to shine and contribute under your wing.
🔁 Discipline: You thrive on structure. Meal planning, table setting, and serving times are executed with military precision. Just stick to the plan and we’ll be fine.
🌈 Empathy: You sense when Aunt Sue needs a quiet moment or uncle Sam is about to blow up. The kids need a distraction? You know before they know. Emotional radar: on point.
🎯 Focus: While others are distracted, you’re making sure the rolls don’t burn and the gravy stays lump-free. Laser-focused kitchen management. Oh yeah, and maybe don’t talk to me while I am performing my magic.
🔭 Futuristic: You’re already brainstorming next year’s menu before the dishes are even cleared. “What if we tried deep-frying the turkey? What if we meet at aunt Tracey’s house next time?”
☮️ Harmony: Balancing the seating chart so Uncle Gary and Cousin Sarah don’t end up in a mashed potato debate. The Kids’ Table is basically your Switzerland.
💡 Ideation: You’ve introduced a “Build-Your-Own Mac-N-Cheese Bar.” Your creativity makes Thanksgiving unforgettable and every year there’ something new.
🫂 Includer: Everyone has a place at your table—friends, neighbors, even that one coworker who didn’t have anywhere else to go. This is about community and everyone is welcome.
🦄 Individualization: You’ve tailored each plate to perfection: no mushrooms for Dad, extra marshmallows on the yams for your niece. Cousin Bob has the best stories, let’s hear them!
📔 Input: Your Thanksgiving cookbook collection is legendary, your YouTube playlist shows 20 different ways of preparing a turkey. Fun fact, did you know that the first Thanksgiving in the US dates back to 1619?
🧠 Intellection: You’re the philosopher of the table, dropping profound reflections about gratitude between bites of mashed potatoes. You enjoy the deep conversations with a small group on the porch.
🎓 Learner: You spent weeks researching the perfect brine for the turkey. Knowledge is your secret ingredient. And now, on to the secrets of making the ultimate apple pie.
🌟 Maximizer: “Oh, you thought two sides were enough? Here’s eight more: mac and cheese, Brussels sprouts, candied yams, and the secret cranberry sauce that only three people will eat.”
🎉 Positivity: You’re the cheerleader of the day. Even if the dog steals the turkey leg from the table, you’re ready with a laugh and a “We’ll remember this forever!”
💞 Relator: Thanksgiving is about deep conversations and quality time with your inner circle. Small talk or meeting new people on Thanksgiving? No, thanks.
💯 Responsibility: Thanksgiving at your house? This is serious and you won’t let your guests down. If it’s on the to-do list, it’s getting done, no matter what.
🛠️ Restorative: When the pumpkin pie collapses, you swoop in to fix it with a smile and a tub of whipped cream. Crisis averted.
💪 Self-Assurance: Should we try smoking our turkey this year? Let’s do it! I know it will work out great. We got this!
🦚 Significance: You bring a little extra drama and flair. Your toast is Oscar-worthy, and your cranberry sauce is plated like art. Your guests will remember it.
🗺️ Strategic: You’ve mapped out the entire meal, from appetizers to dessert, with precision. Contingency plans? Backup casserole in the fridge? Of course.
🤗 Woo: You work the room effortlessly, making sure every guest feels welcome, from toddlers to great-grandparents.
I hope you enjoyed reading through some, if not all of the themes, and that it made you smile here and there. Maybe you even have that exact Uncle Sam…
There are so many things we take for granted, but once we open our eyes and look at them a little more consciously, we are able to discover a whole new world.
Just look for a couple of those traits on Thanksgiving, and you will start seeing them. You just have to know what to look for.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
