What I'm grateful for this Thanksgiving

Ah, just what you were waiting for in your inbox: another CEO’s post on gratitude! I know, I know. It’s ironic too, as I did not grow up celebrating Thanksgiving. But I got to love it: sign me up for any holidays that allow us to slow down, reflect and actively practice gratitude.

In the whirlwind of launching balloons and developing solutions that have a positive impact for our customers and the planet, it’s easy to overlook the core elements that truly sustain us. This season, my appreciation is immense; it’s not just for the major milestones we’ve reached, but for the fundamental spirit of collaboration that defines our work.

Here are three things I’m especially thankful for that make coming to work such a privilege.

1. Gratitude for the Power of Dialogue and Asking Hard Questions

Believe me, I was met with a ton of blank stares when pitching launching a robotic balloon fleet to people! But there were people who took a chance and listened. I am deeply thankful for the energy that comes from holding hard conversations and the resulting opportunity to genuinely be convinced otherwise. This process, where humility guides debate and challenges assumptions, ultimately makes our decisions and our overall direction stronger.

2. Gratitude for a Team in Flow State

There’s magic that transpires in a team aligned around a vision with a strong mission to guide us. There’s so much written about getting into a personal “flow” state, but nothing feels better than jamming on work with a team in a flow state. Where it feels like your head of marketing can finish the sentence you started, and your COO has anticipated and is already working on an idea you just had. That you and your Director of Product have the same passion for pants that are only found in Japan or Mexico City. That you got to know your co-founders so well in the last 15 years that you feel like you know exactly how they are at all times even across the ocean. That unexpectedly your VP of Growth and Partnerships is always aligned to swap a team dinner for a team Alanis Morissette concert. Or being on the same wavelength as our Head of Finance when pitching the business, even though he only joined two months ago. The quiet confidence of your Head of Stratospheric Operations to not only build an industry first workforce, but also our pets slack channel (the most important channel we have!). And that you have to be mindful about not spending the whole zoom call catching up on life, woodworking and cool DJs / sets from the 90s with your CRO.

These small moments of deep, unexpected connection are the defining elements of our collective flow state. It’s in these moments that we not only understand each other instantly but can also combine our diverse perspectives to create something far more better than any one person could achieve alone.

3. Gratitude for the Spectrum of Meaningful Work

Startups are hard. Some days are hard. But I still can’t believe that we call this a job. Every day I wake up feeling grateful for Near Space Labs, everyone who launches our Swift robots, everyone who builds them and takes care of them, grateful for all the coffee walks with my team and for our coffee shop Head Hi with all its cool design and architecture books, grateful my team has fully embraced protein-forward office snacks to support my powerlifting endeavors, grateful for the gorgeous sunsets in our office overlooking a rooftop garden Brooklyn Grange and downtown Manhattan, for all our customers and partners, our investors and our extended community who took chance on us, who asked the hard questions and who listened allowing us to do this incredibly meaningful work

So, before we all dive into the well-deserved break, some turkey and in-laws, I hope you take a moment to reflect on what you are grateful for this year. Wishing you a wonderful and restorative Thanksgiving holiday!