It’s Q4. Retail’s busiest season. We’re in the middle of a high-stakes pilot. As with most innovations in their early stages, things are going horribly wrong. Clients are unhappy. Couriers are threatening to strike. My team is preparing to go on holiday for the year. And to add to the storm, I’ve just discovered I’m pregnant. My body is working overtime too. Suddenly I’m left navigating a massive operational challenge with only two team members still on deck. It felt like the worst turbulence hitting at the end of a long flight on a Boeing 747-8. I was the pilot responsible for landing the plane with limited visibility, but an instinct that the runway to success was somewhere ahead. In that season, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 became my daily mantra: “Give thanks in all circumstances.” Gratitude is often something we associate with winning. When the skies are clear, life feels soft, and things are going well. But I’ve learned that gratitude matters most in turbulence. Not as an afterthought. But as a lifeline. Thinking about how experienced pilots land planes in turbulence helped me understand the mechanics of gratitude in leadership. 1. Keep the autopilot on Experienced pilots don’t switch off the autopilot during turbulence. The system helps prevent human overcorrection, reduces workload, and keeps the aircraft within safe operational limits. Gratitude functions similarly for the mind. It rewires the brain by strengthening neural pathways associated with positivity, resilience, and emotional regulation. When pressure is high, gratitude prevents emotional overcorrection. 2. Reduce to “turbulence penetration speed” Pilots slow the aircraft to a recommended turbulence penetration speed. This reduces stress on the airframe while maintaining control. Gratitude also requires slowing down. During this time, I started what I call “praise walks.” On these walks, I would thank God that although the situation was difficult, I was grateful for the competence and opportunity to face it. Slowing down created space to remember that difficulty and purpose can coexist. 3. Change altitude with the help of air traffic control Pilots often change altitude to find smoother air, guided by air traffic control. For leaders, this means reaching out to a trusted support system — mentors, peers, or advisors — who help you maintain perspective. Sometimes the turbulence isn’t only the situation itself, but the story we’re telling ourselves about it. The right support system helps you see the silver lining that leads to a safe landing. Gratitude isn’t always easy. Sometimes it’s not even obvious that there is something to be thankful for. However, building meaningful things will be hard. And if nothing else, we can give thanks for this: At least we are able to face the storm