As I write this, it is December 22, 2024, and I, like many others, am kind of ready for Christmas but still have some shopping or other preparations to do. Now, as I have to purchase and prepare for Christmas for about ten to fifteen people, I am under a bit of pressure, but nothing like Santa Claus. With less than 48 hours until Christmas Day, I cannot imagine what kind of pressure and activity is happening at the North Pole. Santa will be off to deliver between two to three billion presents in less than forty-eight hours. Not only do they have to have all the gifts ready, Santa and his sleigh ready, the reindeer have to be fed, everything has to be polished, and that list has to have its final check.
Imagine the preparations for this event. When my kids were growing up, “The Santa Clause” was one of my favorite Christmas movies. I yearned, and still secretly do, to be Tim Allen and be able to become Santa Claus. Now, as I think about the pressure he is under right now, I may want to rethink that desire, but come on, bringing hope and joy to two to three billion kids in one night is a job I can really get into. Besides, I don’t have to worry about gym membership or eating too many cookies. That pressure seems like a downside, though. Billions of children depend on you. Not to mention all the staff at the North Pole. Depending on which movie you feel is true, there may be others counting on you, such as Jack Frost, Mother Nature, or even the Easter Bunny. I thought finding the right present for friends and family was stressful. Santa really has the whole world counting on him! Santa manages to do all these things and has done so for hundreds of years without ever cutting corners or violating his purpose.
As the owner of Sorensen Consulting, I naturally want to look at Santa’s leadership qualities and systems. Now, the first thing I looked at was Santa’s; why? Now Simon Sinek says people don’t buy what you do but why you do it… so what is Santa’s why? As I thought about it, Santa’s Why is basically the five words that are covered by the five candles of the Advent Candle. Those words are:
· Hope
· Peace
· Joy
· Love
· Fulfillment (Christ Candle)
As we start looking at these words/candles/and why of Santa, we will begin with hope. Santa’s work and mission are driven by the hope of the billions of children worldwide who are “good” and are expecting that present on Christmas Day. Just as Santa inspires hope, great leaders inspire their teams by casting a clear vision and offering a guiding light in uncertain times. Great leaders do this not only in their work lives but also in their home and personal lives.
The second candle is the peace candle. Santa maintains a level of peace and a harmonious environment among the staff at the North Pole. You do not hear of strikes, disgruntled workers, or workplace violence. Even under the pressure of a global operation, Santa keeps things calm, focused and organized. Strong servant leaders foster peace by maintaining clarity, reducing or preventing chaos, and being a model of calmness under pressure. I can picture the interrogation scene of “The Santa Clause” and see Santa giving the detective all the names he is known by worldwide. Never once caving in or succumbing to the pressure.
Next, we have joy, and we all know the excitement and joy that Santa brings to children and adults when they receive a surprise gift or, more so, when they surprise someone with an unexpected gift. There is always a feeling of Celebration and gratitude for Santa’s appearance as well as the joy that his HO HO HO can bring. This leader finds joy in his work, just as other great leaders do. When leaders are inspired and joyous in their work, they inspire loyalty and positivity in their teams. Every wrapped gift delivered by Santa carries more than just a toy…it carries joy, hope, and a promise fulfilled.
The last of the colored candles is the love candle. This is selfless and unconditional love. Santa delivers gifts without expecting anything in return. His every action and thought is in care and love for others. An effective leader who leads with love shows their team and those they serve how that love and care transcends just the work environment. The servant leader is here for the people, not just the mission. Just as God freely gives his love and justification, we can do nothing to earn it; it is a gift.
Finally, we have the white Christ Candle; this light of Christ tells us how Jesus fulfills all the promises of hope, peace, joy, and love all in one being. Just as every Christmas Eve, Santa fulfills his mission to bring everything we just talked about to all the world’s children. He does this with precision and care. A strong leader will be known for keeping their promises and delivering results that align with their WHY. Santa does this every year without fail. Sometimes, even more than just one or two nights, too. Am I the only one who has turned on “The Santa Clause or Polar Express” during the non-holiday season?
Now, as we are just hours before Christmas and days before the end of the year, let us think about all the pressures Santa is under and even the pressure we can feel to find the perfect “material gift.” However, looking at those five candles on the advent wreath and the Why of Santa, we will see it is not about that material object. The season, Santa, the gifts are all about those five Whys. It is also summed up in the ultimate gift God gave us: 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 NKJV.)
So, from all of us at Sorensen Consulting, may your Christmas be filled with Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, and may you be filled with the love of God and those around you. A Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night.
A FINAL NOTE: At Sorensen Consulting, we're excited to dive deeper into these timeless lessons in our upcoming Santa Leadership Series—a year-round exploration of leadership, purpose, and joy based on Santa Claus and the North Pole. Stay tuned!
🎄 Santa & the Advent Wreath: Leadership Lessons in the Final Countdown to Christmas 🎅