Hello and welcome to Modern CEO! I’m Stephanie Mehta, CEO and chief content officer of Mansueto Ventures. Each week this newsletter explores inclusive approaches to leadership drawn from conversations with executives and entrepreneurs, and from the pages of Inc. and Fast Company. If you received this newsletter from a friend, you can sign up to get it yourself every Monday morning.
During the past two years, Modern CEO has explored the skills and traits executives need in order to navigate today’s complex business environments. Leadership experts have argued that humility, authenticity, and resilience are essential to manage technological change, steer companies through geopolitical and economic uncertainty, and develop and retain talent.
Let’s add gratitude to that list. Author Chester Elton, whose work focuses on organizational culture, says high-performing teams and leaders embrace recognition. Gratitude isn’t a “nice-to-have if you were to be a great leader. It was an absolute must-have,” he tells SHRM (previously known as the Society for Human Resource Management).
I’m grateful for my Mansueto Ventures colleagues, whose commitment to our mission—to empower and inspire entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders through compelling journalism, diverse conversations, and creative initiatives that celebrate excellence in business—motivates me every day. I also want to thank the team that works on Modern CEO every week: editor Gwen Moran; copy editors Kelly Ferguson and Kelly Messier; photo editor Maja Saphir; marketing specialist Maria Jose Jaimes Valencia; audience development manager Sabine Cherenfant; and Annabel Burba, who produces the newsletter each week and manages my calendar.
With Thanksgiving upon us, I asked dozens of CEOs to share what they’re grateful for. They universally thanked their employees, and some talked about the people—and pets—who provide them with support and inspiration outside the office. Here are just a few of the heartfelt responses:
Peter Chapman, president and CEO, IonQ
“I am grateful to be alive during a period of such scientific discovery. Every day brings an announcement of a new breakthrough. And with the challenges ahead of us, we need these technologies to pave a way to a better future.”
Caren Cioffi, CEO, Agenda Hero
“I am grateful to live in Silicon Valley, where the status quo is optimism, where people believe in what hasn’t been done yet, where it’s not a matter of if but when, and not a matter of whether it can be solved but who will solve it. This optimism is unique, and my gratitude is evergreen.”
Ivan Giraud, CEO, Bel Brands USA
“I am grateful for the culture of care and openness fostered by the Bel U.S. team. Earlier this year, I challenged my colleagues on the leadership team to embrace poetry, something that has been an anchor in my life for many years. I encouraged the team to start our planning meeting prepared to share a poem of their choice—something out of many people’s comfort zones. The team embraced the challenge, which helped us see and appreciate each other in a new light.”
Ben Goodwin, cofounder and CEO, Olipop
“I’m deeply thankful for the incredible journey we’ve embarked on at Olipop. Our team’s passion and our community’s enthusiasm drive us to innovate and create a healthier soda. Hearing firsthand from our customers about how our products have supported their journey to healthier choices is incredibly rewarding.”
Jay Jandrain, president and CEO, Butterball
“I’m thankful for the time to slow down, gather with my loved ones, and share conversations and memories this Thanksgiving season. In my role at Butterball, I know firsthand the power of a great Thanksgiving gathering—and I’m grateful to be a part of an organization that brings people together around the table.”
Kristin Peck, CEO, Zoetis
“I have a lot to be grateful for, starting with my Zoetis colleagues, who embody our purpose, support our customers, and drive our exceptional performance—their dedication is what truly makes the difference. I’m also incredibly thankful for my family—from my husband, who always knows how to make me laugh when I need it most, to my children, who amaze me daily with their strength and big hearts. And, I am also super grateful for my dogs Luna and Sky, who improve the well-being of my family’s life whether they’re keeping us grounded on stressful days, setting the pace on family hikes, or curling up on the couch with us at the end of the day. There isn’t anything like the love and loyalty they bring!”
Rosie Rios, CEO of Red River Associates and chair, America250
“I’m thankful to my mother, who recently passed. She courageously left everything behind from Mexico to come to this great nation, raised me and my eight siblings as a single parent, and sent all nine of us to college. She made me feel that the American Dream was a true reality. As our country prepares to celebrate and commemorate its 250th anniversary, I hope every American can share that same feeling that I had in 1976 and still believe today—that this country can truly be the land of opportunity for all.”
Rahul Roy-Chowdhury, CEO, Grammarly
“This year, I had the opportunity to visit our incredible team members based out of Grammarly’s Kyiv hub. Grammarly was founded in Ukraine, so we have deep ties to the country and remain committed to supporting the people and our team members there through the war and the rebuilding to come. I spent time with our local team members, who left me energized by their dedication and passion for solving the complex challenge of communication. I also met with the UNITED24 team, which coordinates fundraising activities across the country. This meeting allowed me to see the impact of our contributions and those of many others; the power of collective efforts is truly remarkable. I returned home inspired by their work, grateful to all those supporting Ukraine’s humanitarian efforts, and deeply appreciative of the spirit of the Ukrainian people.”
Alexa von Tobel, founder and managing partner, Inspired Capital
“I’m so grateful to get to spend my days working at Inspired Capital with entrepreneurs who are trying to solve the world’s biggest problems. Seeing the world daily through that lens is a constant reminder of how much people care about humanity . . . and on a lighter note, I am really grateful for ‘low power mode’ on iPhones, so I can eke out just a few more minutes of phone battery as a busy mom of three, constantly working and on the go!”
What are you grateful for? Send your stories and examples to [email protected], and I’ll share some examples in a future newsletter.
Read more: Employees who inspire
The application deadline for Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Awards is Friday, December 6, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
