Thanksgiving is a time for big gestures—an impressive feast spread across the elegantly-decorated table, family gathered from near and far, a celebration of abundance. But while the holiday can be a thing of grandeur, its most profound lessons come from something much quieter: the power of small graces.

The Grace of Imperfection

No Thanksgiving ever unfolds perfectly. (Think of poor Charlie Brown and the uninvited guests lambasting his lovingly-prepared popcorn and toast.) The turkey might be a little dry, a key side dish could be forgotten, a guest might show up late. But it’s often these unplanned moments that spark the most laughter and leave the deepest impressions.

In business, the same truth applies. Maybe dry turkey and a client miscommunication aren’t exactly equivalent; maybe you find a failed project more disturbing than some spilled cranberry sauce. Still, perfection is an illusion, and the pursuit of it can sometimes obscure the real goal: connection.

You’ve heard the idea that team members are more able to connect with and respect leaders who show weakness—acknowledging their own failures with good humor, being open and vulnerable—than those who project a confident face at all times? It’s true. You’re human. Employees appreciate knowing it. Embracing imperfection allows space for authenticity, and authenticity is what builds trust. What’s more, mistakes, whether in the boardroom or the breakroom, can open the door to creativity, collaboration, and growth.

The Grace of the Hidden

Canned cranberry sauce may not be the star of the Thanksgiving meal, but its presence is felt. It represents the often-overlooked contributions that hold everything together—both in holiday traditions and in professional settings.

What hidden graces are at work in your business this year? Take a minute to really think it through—whose contributions are you overlooking? Is someone diligently working away behind the scenes, maybe tackling tasks that aren’t within their natural passions and talents because that’s just what the team needs right now? Picking up the slack with so little complaint you barely notice? Providing the taken-for-granted feedback and perspective you’d be sunk without? Making imperceptible choices and quiet comments that buoy their teammates up when morale is down? Recognize that person. Thank them. Do it now.

And that brings us to the last, more obvious quiet grace of Thanksgiving…

The Grace of Gratitude

Gratitude is more than a seasonal hashtag; it’s a mindset that transforms how we approach both challenges and opportunities. Research consistently shows that practicing gratitude boosts morale, strengthens relationships, and even improves decision-making—a powerful tool in both personal and professional life.

This Thanksgiving season is an ideal moment to turn gratitude into action. A handwritten note to a valued client, a genuine acknowledgment of a colleague’s effort, or a team-wide pause to reflect on successes can create ripples of positivity that extend far beyond the holiday.

Small Graces, Big Impact

Whether in business, family, or community, Thanksgiving reminds us that small, intentional acts of grace hold immense power. Imperfections can deepen connections, overlooked contributions can strengthen teams, and gratitude can inspire excellence.

Let’s embrace these small graces—not just as fleeting moments of seasonal reflection, but as ongoing habits that shape how we lead, collaborate, and grow together.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Acumen.