I'm always amazed at this time of year. Although there is so much to do related to our respective businesses, we just keep the pile growing by giving and attending holiday parties, purchasing gifts for our loved ones, and generally traveling at the speed of Mach I. When we finish the holidays, totally exhausted, we make a resolution to never partake in craziness again. Unfortunately, we're creatures of our own bad habits — somehow, we're just hardwired that way.

In our leadership endeavors, our constituency observes our behavior and takes notice when we are operating at full speed. They even try and keep up with us. What is the old saying... "I need to keep up with the boss?" Defuse this unnecessary race by slowing your pace and allowing the people around you to enjoy this special time of year.

Everyone would be well served by slowing down, thanking those who are important in our lives, and being grateful that we live in this free nation. As leaders, we need to thank those people in our companies that selfishly give of themselves each and every day, keeping our heads above water, and making progress against our business strategies.

Typically, we are quick to thank our customers, suppliers, and those outsiders who have helped our business, but do we pay the same tribute to those inside our organizations and closest to us — our colleagues? Oh, we may give them a turkey or bottle of wine, but these material gifts don't hold a candle to a simple "Thank you, [insert name of your colleague]. You have meant a difference to me/us this year." You will be surprised when you do this and what the response will be. If you are one of the leader types that rarely gives positive feedback or utters thank you, you may have people stare at you, thinking you've been listening to a little too much Bing Crosby. But this is your window of opportunity to practice a leadership trait that is important and can mean the difference between being a dynamic, successful leader (with followers breaking down the doors to follow you) and a leader who constantly has to manhandle the organization to reach the company's vision. Simple gratitude is the three-in-one oil that lubricates the organizational structure and develops the path(s) of least resistance.

In addition to expressing thanks, as leaders we must have more patience around the holidays. We must recognize that this is the time of year when families come from far and wide to reunite and often these times are full of inherent anxiety. As leaders, we are not immune to this stress either. We need to identify the possibility for anxiety and be forgiving to our colleagues and ourselves. Unfortunately, family reunions heighten our emotions and often bring the worst out in each and every one of us. If we try to approach these times as an opportunity to offer forgiveness while being grateful for what we do have, the time will fly by.

One last point! Think of those charities around you that could use your help or those for which you have a special relationship. Remember it is always better to give than to receive.

Now ask yourself...Am I a Leader?