You ever notice how December rolls in like a locomotive in notch eight?
One minute it's Halloween, next minute the shop smells like coffee and cold steel, half your crew is burning vacation days like they're ticking time bombs, and leadership is asking why production numbers look like someone kicked the power cord out. Meanwhile, you’re trying to squeeze family, work, shopping, bills, and a little damn peace into a calendar that’s already taped together like an old extension cord.
Welcome to the holidays — blue-collar edition.
This isn’t a greeting card season for most of us. It’s end-of-year deadlines, weather colder than an ex-wife’s voicemail, night shifts, and trying not to snap at the guy who only shows up when there's free food. But there’s a different kind of magic out here too — one that doesn’t glitter or shine unless you look at it right.
It’s the magic of showing up.
It’s the magic of keeping your word.
It’s the magic of taking care of people.
Even in December.
The Shop Doesn’t Run on Santa Claus
It runs on men and women who wake up tired and still lace their boots.
It runs on forklift drivers who know the difference between a productive shift and a disaster is one careless inch.
It runs on supervisors who decide — consciously — to lead instead of boss.
It runs on the people who stay late so someone else can get home early to see their kids unwrap the cheap toy that’ll break by New Year’s but matter more than any bonus ever could.
That’s the real holiday spirit.
Not gifts.
Not glitter.
Not the corporate email with “warmest wishes” and zero improvement budget attached.
Care.
Care is the currency.
Leadership in December Means This:
Not More. Not Faster. Not Push Harder.
It means:
• Notice the guy who never asks for help.
He’s hurting more than he shows.
• Give praise as quickly as you give corrections.
One sentence can fix a year.
• Let someone else take the big win.
You’ll sleep better knowing you handed it to them.
• Don’t forget yourself.
Leadership doesn’t work without the leader.
Because if we walk into the new year like a cracked weld — we’re gonna break under load.
Take This With You Into January
When you step onto that shop floor, tighten your hard hat, breathe cold morning air, and wonder how you’re going to get through all of it —
Remember:
You already have.
Every year.
Every challenge.
Every layoff, rebuild, sick kid, busted pipe, broken truck, long shift, and longer night.
You showed up when you didn’t want to.
That’s leadership.
Not rank. Not title. Not parking spot.
Presence.
So raise a cup of burnt break-room coffee to the men and women who keep the lights on. To those building the world one bolt, one weld, one train, one overtime shift at a time.
This season isn’t about perfection.
It’s about people.
Merry Christmas — and thank you for showing up.
Purpose through Strength.
Always.