What has become one of America’s quirkiest traditions will take place today—the presidential pardoning of the White House turkey.
Since the Truman administration, White House staff have staged a pre-Thanksgiving Day photo op with the Commander in Chief and the turkey. However, History.com notes that the actual “pardoning” tradition didn’t begin until President George H. W. Bush started it in 1989.
Standing in the White House Rose Garden before a crowd of reporters and school children, Bush remarked that the turkey before him seemed “understandably nervous.” Smiling, he looked at the children and said: “Let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy. He’s granted a presidential pardon as of right now.”
Every sitting president since has carried on this tradition.
Although many consider the presidential pardoning of the turkey to be an act of mercy, it’s technically an extension of grace. Mercy and grace are often used interchangeably, but they describe two distinct forms of generosity.
Mercy is fundamentally about restraint. It involves recognizing that someone has made a mistake or caused harm and choosing not to impose the full consequences they might deserve. When a judge reduces a sentence or when a friend forgives a hurtful remark, they are showing mercy.
The emphasis is on withholding punishment, easing suffering, or softening the impact of a negative action. Mercy looks backward at what happened and responds with compassion rather than retaliation.
Grace, on the other hand, moves beyond restraint into proactive goodwill. It is the act of offering something positive, generous, or uplifting that has not necessarily been earned or requested.
Grace might appear as unexpected help, a second chance accompanied by encouragement, or kindness shown to someone simply because you choose to offer it. While mercy stops a downward spiral, grace actively lifts someone up.
In the case of the White House turkey, the turkey did nothing foul apart from being born a fowl. Hence, pardoning the turkey is not an act of mercy but an act of grace.
Good teammates recognize the difference between mercy and grace—and they characteristically offer both. They understand that the break they give someone may be what keeps that person from breaking.
Sometimes that means cutting someone a break by offering leniency, understanding, or forgiveness. Other times it means creating a break for someone by giving them an opportunity, standing up for them, or recommending them.
Though different, mercy and grace often work together. Mercy creates space for healing by halting harm, and grace fills that space with support that promotes growth. Both qualities enrich relationships. And both qualities exemplify good teammates.
While President Bush receives credit for starting the tradition of pardoning the Thanksgiving turkey, legend has it that he may not have been the first president to spare a turkey from being served at a White House dinner.
There is a famous story about Abraham Lincoln granting clemency to a turkey during his time in office. Lincoln’s son Tad had taken a liking to a turkey that was meant to be served during the presidential Christmas celebration. Tad named the turkey Jack and was known to lead Jack on a leash around the White House grounds like a pet.
The elder Lincoln caved to his son’s pleas and generously granted Jack reprieve.
Someone in your life is a candidate for your generosity. Whether it comes in the form of mercy or grace, consider the wisdom of Abraham Lincoln when weighing the right time to offer your generosity: “Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today.”
When is the right time for a good teammate to offer mercy or grace? Today.
As always…Good teammates care. Good teammates share. Good teammates listen. Go be a good teammate.
