That Something We Want, Something We Need

Gary Burnison is CEO of Korn Ferry and the author of Love, Hope & Leadership: A Special Edition.

Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read….

It’s a simple holiday rhyme—but one that crystallizes and contextualizes a perspective for the season.

Because this time of year is also—and always—a tale of two realities. A real dichotomy.

There are homes filled with laughter and warmth, favorite foods and familiar traditions—and there are quiet rooms where someone feels the absence of that voice they miss.

There are sparkling lights and festive gatherings—and there are long nights, disenchanted hearts, and burdens carried silently.

There are gifts received, presents carefully wrapped—and there are empty chairs, unspoken words, and moments that pass too slowly.

There is celebration—and there is searching.

There is gratitude—and there is grief.

To appreciate the light, we must first recognize the darkness it pushes against. The brightness means so much more because of the shadows it overcomes.

Every year is filled with triumphs and tragedies, successes and setbacks, high notes and low notes. Life is not a continuous reel of someone else’s idyllic social media feed. It’s ours—and it’s real.

Yes, now is a time of joy, hope, and belief. But it’s also a season of understanding, reconciliation, mercy, grace, and reflection—one that reminds us of compassion, connection, and the importance of reaching out with our shared humanity.

And thankfully, especially during this season, our human nature tends to gravitate toward the best of what this year and every year offers.

We’ve all had the experience of giving someone a gift and waiting for the wrapping paper to be removed, the box opened. Nervous and a little uncertain—and sometimes, just to hedge our bets, we whisper when no one’s listening, “There’s a gift receipt at the bottom if you want to take it back.”

Not so with the gift of pure, unadulterated appreciation, empathy, and understanding. There are no receipts, no strings attached. There is no layaway for some future obligation. It’s unconditional.

Indeed, this is the gift for everyone—that something we want, that something we need. The one that never gets returned.

May this season give you moments of time to reflect, light to cherish, and the warmth of connection with all you hold dear.

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