Thanksgiving can be about turkey and family and gratitude, sure, but you know what it’s really about?

Football! 

My beloved Seattle Seahawks have a huge game against their rival San Francisco 49ers this coming Thursday, and whoever wins will take control of the division. 

I will neither confirm nor deny that my face is already painted…

What makes this season even more exciting is that the Seahawks field more rookies than any other team in the NFL. Almost 30% of their 53-man roster—that’s 15 rookies!—are seeing regular playing time. This is the second year in a row that rookies have played an outsized role in the team’s success. 

Just consider this from the Seahawks 24-20 win over the powerful Cleveland Browns on October 29:

• Opening touchdown? A run by rookie wide receiver Jake Bobo.

• Winning touchdown with 38 seconds left in the game? A catch by another rookie wide receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

• Rookie running back Zach Charbonnet gained 53 yards on just five carries. He’s a favorite in our household because his name means “burnt hat” in French. I will neither confirm nor deny that we scream “Go Burnt Hat Go!” at the TV whenever he has the ball…

The conventional wisdom is that rookies take a while to contribute. They make mistakes. They might even be a detriment at the beginning. 

Sure, they’re inexperienced on paper. But you know what else they are? They’re eager. They aren’t stuck in the old ways of doing things. They can bring ridiculous talent to the team.

So don’t be afraid to give your young guns some playing time. Give them the opportunity to surprise you. I know in my case, I’ve spent my career being the youngest and least experienced on most of my leadership teams. 

But something amazing happens when you put a challenge in front of eager professionals. More often than not, they seize the opportunity and rise to the occasion.

Happy Thanksgiving! And Go Seahawks!

About The Author

Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense. 

Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.