Gratitude in leadership often shows up in unexpected places.
“People who love to eat are always the best people.”
— Julia Child
Lately, Scott and I have a new evening ritual: watching The Foods That Built America. It’s one of those shows that sneaks up on you. You think you’re just watching TV, and suddenly you’re in the middle of a business case study disguised as comfort food.
What I love most about it is how clearly it connects food, leadership, and grit. Every product we casually toss into our grocery cart exists because someone refused to quit. Someone took a risk. Someone made a decision when failure was a very real option.
And that is exactly why gratitude in leadership matters more than we think.
Food innovation is leadership in disguise
Take James Kraft. He didn’t just want to sell cheese. He wanted cheese that wouldn’t spoil. When his market share dipped, his team didn’t panic. They pivoted. The result was Kraft Mac & Cheese. Today, they sell roughly a million boxes a day.
Milton Hershey saw something others missed. Chocolate didn’t have to be a luxury reserved for the wealthy. He figured out how to make milk chocolate affordable for everyday people and, in doing so, built an empire that reshaped an entire town and workforce.
Then there’s my personal hero. The movie theater worker who looked at sticky fingers and messy popcorn and thought, “There has to be a better way.” Enter Raisinets, Goobers, and Snow Caps. Whoever you are, thank you for your service.
None of these were accidents. They were leadership decisions fueled by curiosity, resilience, and timing.
Manufacturing teaches you to see the story behind everything
Because of my work in manufacturing and construction, I already live with the awareness that everything we touch is made by someone. Every bolt, panel, tool, and piece of equipment has a backstory.
This show reinforces that everything we eat has one too.
Behind every familiar brand is a team that struggled with supply chains, labor shortages, competition, economic downturns, and public skepticism. Sound familiar?
That’s why I talk about gratitude in leadership as a strategy, not a sentiment. When leaders understand the human effort behind results, they lead differently. They communicate differently. They make better decisions under pressure.
This is also why gratitude in leadership works best when it’s treated as a system, not a standalone gesture, as outlined in the Six Gears of Grategy framework.
Rivalries reveal what leaders are made of
One of the most fascinating parts of the show is the rivalries.
Little Debbie versus Entenmann’s.
Krispy Kreme versus Dunkin’.
Pizza Hut versus Domino’s.
Carvel versus Dairy Queen.
McDonald’s versus everyone.
These weren’t just marketing battles. They were leadership stress tests.
Who adapts faster?
Who listens to customers?
Who invests in people when margins tighten?
Who sticks with a bad idea too long?
Gratitude doesn’t mean avoiding competition. It means respecting the effort it takes to stay in the game.
Why gratitude-based leadership works in tough industries
In manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and association leadership, the work is demanding. The pressure is constant. And the wins can feel invisible once they become routine.
Gratitude-based leadership changes that.
It helps leaders see:
- The innovation hiding in daily problem-solving
- The perseverance behind “standard operating procedures”
- The people who show up before the results show up
When leaders acknowledge effort, not just outcomes, retention improves. Engagement improves. Trust improves.
Gratitude doesn’t lower standards. It raises commitment.
What food reminds us about leadership
Here’s the real takeaway from watching The Foods That Built America.
Progress is built by people who care deeply about solving real problems.
Legacy comes from leaders who honor the process, not just the profit.
And success rarely happens without a few missteps, reinventions, and long nights.
That’s true whether you’re running a plant, leading a care team, managing an association, or launching a food brand that somehow becomes part of childhood memories.
And yes, I’m grateful for all of it. Especially the chocolate.
A reflection worth asking
What’s the food invention you’re most grateful for?
More importantly, who are the people on your team today whose work will become “normal” once it succeeds?
Those are the moments where gratitude in leadership makes the biggest difference.
Have fun,
Lisa
P.S. I’ll admit it. I’ve “reconnected” with a few long-lost favorites after seeing their episodes. Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia still holds up. Kraft Mac & Cheese absolutely does. Spaghetti-O’s? Let’s just say nostalgia carries a lot of weight.
