What Santa Claus Gets Right About Leadership
When people talk about great leadership, they usually reference bestselling authors, decorated generals, or someone who once delivered a compelling TED Talk.
No one says, “You know who really understands leadership? Santa Claus.”
Which is odd, because he’s been running a flawless global operation for centuries… in one night… without consultants, dashboards, or a single LinkedIn post about it.
A teaser: Santa’s most powerful leadership tool has nothing to do with sleighs, reindeer, or magic dust. In fact, many modern leaders actively avoid it because it feels uncomfortable.
Santa, however, leans right into it—and checks it twice.
Let’s count it down.
Ho ho ho… kindness matters, but clarity matters more. That’s why I bring gifts and keep a list.
5. Passion (He Actually Wants to Be There)
No one is forcing Santa to do this job. There’s no North Pole HR department issuing stern memos. No performance improvement plan. No threat of being replaced by an AI-powered gift drone.
Santa shows up because he loves the mission. He believes in joy, generosity, and delighting people he will never meet. That passion is obvious – and it’s contagious.
Leaders who operate from genuine passion don’t need to constantly “motivate” their teams. Their energy does it for them.
When a leader clearly cares, people lean in. When they don’t, people lean back and quietly update their résumés.
4. Preparation (‘Winging It’ Is Not a Option)
Santa doesn’t wake up on December 24th and say, “This feels like a good year to try Christmas.”
This is a year-round operation. Lists are made. Systems are refined. Lessons from last year are applied to next year.
Great leaders understand that the big moment—the launch, the presentation, the deadline – is simply the visible part of the work. The real leadership happens long before anyone is watching.
Santa proves that consistency beats heroics. Preparation isn’t flashy, but panic is far more embarrassing.
3. Happy Elves (Fuelled by Candy Canes)
Santa’s elves are productive, loyal, and—somehow—cheerful.
This alone should make leaders suspicious and curious. The answer is simple: he treats them well.
There’s appreciation. There’s trust. There’s hot chocolate. And no one is “surprised” by expectations at the last minute.
You don’t need candy canes to lead well, but you do need to create an environment where people feel respected and supported.
Happy teams don’t just work harder – they work smarter. Grumpy teams, on the other hand, work exactly hard enough to avoid trouble.
2. Global Delivery (No Excuses, Just Results)
One night. One planet. Billions of deliveries. No shipping delays. No weather-related press releases. No “supply chain challenges” explanation email.
Santa is ruthlessly focused. He doesn’t debate endlessly.
He prepares thoroughly, then executes decisively. Leaders who admire this should note: results don’t come from more meetings – they come from clarity, commitment, and follow-through.
Santa doesn’t confuse motion with progress. He moves with purpose.
1. The Naughty and Nice List (Accountability)
This is the big one.
Santa is warm, generous, and kind—but he is not vague. Expectations are clear. Behaviour matters. And everyone knows it.
This is where many leaders struggle. They want to be liked. They want harmony. They want to avoid awkward conversations.
Santa skips all that. He doesn’t argue about the list. He doesn’t apologize for it. He simply uses it.
Great leaders balance empathy with accountability. They care deeply—and they are clear. They don’t reward poor behaviour in the name of being “nice.” They understand that clarity is kindness.
This holiday season, enjoy the lights, the music, and the magic. Behind the sleigh is a leader who prepares relentlessly, leads with passion, cares for his people, delivers without excuses, and holds everyone accountable.
All while technically working one day a year. What a show-off. 🎄
