As the year winds down and the holiday rush kicks into high gear, leaders face a critical question: Are you coasting… or closing?

In this Thanksgiving-themed leadership check-in, I break down how to keep your team sharp, energized, and aligned during the toughest stretch of the year while positioning your organization to win in 2026.

Whether you lead a frontline team, a regional operation, or an entire organization, this conversation gives you the tools to finish 2025 strong and start 2026 with purpose. You could be a CEO, VP, Owner, or Entrepreneur - there is something in here for everyone who leads teams or serves customers.

In this episode, you'll learn: • Why the "last mile" of the year exposes the strengths and cracks in every organization • How to keep your team sharp, rested, and focused through the holiday crunch • How to deliver consistent customer experience when demand, emotions, and fatigue are highest • What leaders must prioritize to win customer experience, employee experience, and loyalty in the new year • Why execution, empathy, and presence will define the leaders who succeed in 2026 • How to leverage AI and technology to support planning and performance without losing the human touch

Perfect for: hospitality leaders, business owners, CEOS, COOs, CX/EX professionals, operational managers, retail and service teams, training and development leaders, and anyone responsible for people and performance during the busiest season of the year.

If you're ready to close the year with intention and launch into 2026 with clarity, confidence, and momentum, this episode is your Thanksgiving checkpoint.

Book time with me to learn about our speaking, training, and consulting services: https://calendly.com/thetonyjohnson/strategy

Links & Resources:

📌 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-johnson-ccxp/

📌 Order my book Together We Serve: https://amzn.to/4pwGvPL

📌 Book hospitality training for your team today: https://www.igniteyourservice.com/summits

📌 Order my book Proof Positive: https://amzn.to/3LWtP5l

Tony Johnson is a Customer Experience + Hospitality Consultant, Keynote Speaker, Trainer, and Author with a wide background including higher education, restaurants, retail, travel, city government, chambers of commerse, and leisure. He regularly speaks and coaches organizations to IGNITE THEIR SERVICE using his common sense approach to Customer engagement and retentions. Tony has spoken to government agencies, airlines, universities, and many Fortune 500 companies to unlock their amazing capacity for excellence.

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