Stealing Back Joy
From Grinch to Great
“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.”
— Simon Sinek
From Grinch to Great
Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life.
As the holiday season wraps up and we prepare for the new year, the story of the Grinch provides us a powerful reminder that meaningful change is always possible. For leaders and teams, it’s a chance to reflect, reset, and resolve to grow—and sometimes to make a change for the better.
High above Whoville, in a cave filled with clutter and a heart filled with resentment, the Grinch brooded. Remember, he wasn’t always this way. Once, he was just another resident of Whoville, misunderstood and isolated. Over time, he became more and more withdrawn and bitter.
But even the Grinch, with his heart “two sizes too small,” had the capacity for transformation—and therein lies the leadership lesson.
On Christmas Eve he devised a plan. An evil and awful plan. He would “steal Christmas” by taking every symbol of it. Presents, decorations, and even the roast beast. With precision and devious determination, he snuck into every home and grabbed everything he could.
But come morning, instead of despair, the Whos gather in the town square, hand in hand, singing with joy. It wasn’t the gifts or the glitz that made Christmas; it was their unity and spirit.
Seeing this, the Grinch experienced a transformation. He realizes that true happiness comes from connection, not possessions. In that moment, his heart grows “three sizes,” and he races to return the stolen goods, ultimately joining the Whos’ celebration. He even joined their celebration—not as an outcast, but as a member of Whoville.
The story isn’t just a holiday tale. It’s a metaphor for leadership and teamwork. Here are three ideas for every leader and team to learn from the Grinch and the Whos of Whoville.
Change Starts with Perspective. The Grinch’s bitterness clouded his view of the Whos. Oftentimes, challenges or misunderstandings stem from a lack of connection. Building relationships can transform both perspectives and outcomes.
Value What Truly Matters. The Whos taught the Grinch—and us—that the heart of any team isn’t material rewards but shared values, connection, and purpose.
Growth Is Possible for Everyone. Like the Grinch, even those who get off to a bad start can become important to the team.
In this new year, let the story of the Grinch serve as a reminder that leadership is about the connection, transformation, and joy that comes from working together!
“Unity is strength. When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.”
— Mattie Stepanek
Connecting this quote to the story. The Whos showed unity is strength by embracing the Grinch despite his actions, changing him with compassion and inclusion.
Chasing Influence tip: Like the Grinch’s heart, growth requires effort. Create spaces where team members feel valued and supported in their development.
If you enjoyed this story, a series of three Chasing Influence workbooks is available. Stories are accompanied by discussion questions and answers. Each workbook contains 33 lessons to use with any team.
Updates on Chasing Influence
Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life is available in Kindle, softcover, hardcover, and audiobook editions.
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©Troy Urdahl, 2024