From Bedford Falls to Whoville: What Holiday Classics Teach Us About Evergreen Thought Leadership
What is it about your favorite holiday movies that makes them so easy to watch, year after year?
Whether it’s Ralphie Parker in A Christmas Story being warned “You’ll shoot your eye out,” or Ebenezer Scrooge learning the true meaning of Christmas in one of the countless versions of A Christmas Carol, our favorite holiday stories captivate us no matter how many times we’ve seen them.
These classics entertain, inspire, strike emotional chords, and resonate universally. But what is it about them that makes them stick around as our annual favorites? Great storytelling.
Here are four ways our favorite holiday stories can teach us to craft more impactful thought leadership:
1. Be Relatable
Think of George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life. His struggles and dreams are deeply human. Anyone who has ever faced doubt or questioned their impact on the world knows that feeling of George’s desperation, as well as his overwhelming gratitude for life once he recognizes all that makes it so wonderful.
In the same way, the most impactful thought leadership tells personal stories that connect with readers' experiences. Even experts make mistakes, learn from others, and confront new situations for the first time—sharing those stories makes the experiences of even the highest-level executives more relatable.
2. Be Clear
Every great holiday movie can be distilled down into a clear central theme. A Christmas Carol reminds us to prioritize generosity and connection over material wealth. The Grinch teaches us that love and belonging trump materialism. That clarity of message is what makes these stories stick.
Thought leadership works the same way: the clearer your message, the more likely it will resonate with your audience. Ask yourself, “What do I want readers to walk away thinking, feeling, or doing?” Then, build your piece around assuring that they do.
3. Be Emotional
I’m not going to lie—I cry every year at the end of It’s a Wonderful Life, and my heart flutters when Susan Walker finds Kris Kringle’s walking stick at the house of her dreams in Miracle on 34th Street. That’s because the best holiday stories leave us feeling—rooting for the characters, laughing at their antics, and tearing up at their triumphs.
Thought leadership can also resonate emotionally to create a lasting connection with readers. Anecdotes of victory, hardship, passion, fear, and doubt show your authentic humanity and welcome readers to experience your emotions. When readers form an emotional connection to your stories, they are more likely to remember your message, trust your expertise, and engage with your ideas.
4. Be Timeless
Redemption, family, love, gratitude—these themes never go out of style. This is why classic holiday movies have remained relevant across generations. They focus on universal truths that people continue to find valuable over time.
Just as you revisit your favorite holiday films every year, thought leadership can also turn to timeless ideas—like innovation, resilience, or interpersonal relationships—to gain and sustain greater readership over time. Add in relatability, clarity, emotion, and who knows? Your thought leadership might become the classic an emerging or aspiring leader keeps coming back to for advice.
Want to start a thought leadership campaign to drive personal or professional branding goals, but aren’t sure where to start? Find out how KNG Services can provide solutions!
