Ask anyone for their top 5 Christmas programs/movies, and A Charlie Brown Christmas is going to be on most of those lists (I didn’t ask Gallup to survey this, but I am certain it is true!). In the program, Charlie Brown, in his struggle with holiday depression, ends up leading a Christmas play with his band of friends. His efforts prove to be a failure when none of his friends listen to him and he selects a pitiful Christmas tree. But, the group is eventually brought back to “the main thing” of Christmas with the help of Charlie’s friend Linus.
Created in 1965 by Charles Schulz, A Charlie Brown Christmas was produced on a very low budget and in only a matter of months. It was predicted to be a failure, yet it became a major success that continues 58 years later! So, here are 7 lessons to consider from one of the most cherished Christmas stories.
1. Experts are not always right.
A Charlie Brown Christmas was predicted to be a failure by “the experts.” Instead, it went on to be one of the most loved Christmas movies of all time, winning both an Emmy and Peabody Award! For its TV premiere alone in 1965, almost 16 million people watched it. Experts are not prophets, and we would be wise to hear them out but not let them dictate our every move.
2. Leadership can arise from the least likely people.
We commonly identify leaders as those “at the top” of the organization. But in real life, leaders can emerge at unexpected times and from expected places. For example, no hiring professional would look at Charlie or Linus as a leader. They didn’t dress like one or act like one, and they were a bit quirky. Yet, both Charlie Brown and Linus stepped up in unexpected ways and sought to have a positive influence on others (with Charlie leading the play and Linus explaining the “why” of Christmas).
3. Growth requires taking risks.
Charlie Brown could send out a depressing vibe at times, but he also showed some serious courage. Even when his confidence was low, he took up the challenge from Lucy to lead a Christmas play with all of his peers as the cast! While it started out bumpy with a few major failures, Charlie Brown didn’t quit. He showed grit, and as a result, he grew in his confidence and experienced eventual success. Growth always requires some risk.
4. Don’t underestimate the challenges of leading a team.
Complaining. Distractions. Conflict. Jealousy. Have you ever experienced these on a team you were on? Charlie Brown encountered all of these and more. Charlie was so focused on the “task” (the play) that he was not relationally connecting to his team. And his team wasn’t making it easy. Leading a team towards a high level of performance is a challenging job and should not be assumed to be simple.
5. Even a broken team culture can change for the better.
Experience and research have shown that a dysfunctional team culture will contribute to lower employee satisfaction and lower profitability compared to a healthy team culture. And anyone who has led a broken team knows it is hard to change. Yet, A Charlie Brown Christmas serves as a reminder that a poor-performing team can change – especially when everyone rallies around a compelling mission and a committed leader.
6. Be careful of the messages you allow to take up residence in your mind.
People can be tough and even cruel regarding their treatment of others. Their feedback, even if it has a residue of truth, can be weaponized to crush you. When Charlie failed to meet the group's expectations, they were like sharks on meat with words like…
“I told you he would goof up!”
“He is not the kind you can depend on to do anything right!”
“You are hopeless, completely hopeless!”
There is a big difference between truthful feedback from a trusted person and toxic attacks that can poison you if you allow them.
7. Mission-drift doesn’t require any effort – it happens naturally.
Charlie Brown said, “Christmas is coming, and I’m not happy. I always end up feeling depressed.” That probably resonates with a lot of us around this unique holiday. Expectations are high and often unrealistic. It doesn’t take much time in this world to realize the world is broken and so are we. Everyone is looking for purpose and for peace. Linus had his blanket. Schroeder had his piano. Pig-Pen had his self-determination. And Lucy had her domineering control. Yet they were still not satisfied. It didn’t take long for the cast of characters around Charlie Brown to start looking out for themselves and forgetting about those around them as well as the purpose of the Christmas play. That is until Linus steps up to answer Charlie’s question – “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” And, in only 48 seconds, Linus provides the answer that can be summarized in these historic and transformational words from the New Testament book of Luke:
Don’t be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today a savior has been born – he is the Messiah, the Lord.
Jesus came to bring hope to the hopeless. Peace to the conflicted. And mercy to the fallen. It has little to do with how good we are or how well we behave. It’s all about his effort, his grace, and his hope. This was and remains the mission of Jesus.
The Center Consulting Group team hopes, regardless of your place in life or the circumstances you find yourself in this Christmas, you will experience his grace, mercy, and peace in a way that once again provides you with purpose, hope, and joy.
To learn more, contact us.
Jay Desko is the President & CEO of The Center Consulting Group and brings experience in the areas of organizational assessment, leadership coaching, decision-making, and strategic questioning. Jay’s degrees include an M.Ed. in Instructional Systems Design from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from The Union Institute.
