I recently sat through five hours of team meetings. Five. Hours. Here’s the surprising part. I actually enjoyed them. I know what you’re thinking. Either the meetings were exceptionally good, or I need to get out more.
First, there was an agenda. An actual agenda! Not one of those meetings where you spend the first 20 minutes figuring out why everyone is there and the last 20 wondering why you’re still there.
What really made these meetings enjoyable wasn’t the agenda. It was the attitude of the people in the room.
Throughout the meetings, leaders thanked team members for their contributions. Colleagues recognized one another for jobs well done. Successes were celebrated, and appreciation was expressed freely. There was a genuine spirit of gratitude, and it made a difference.
As we head into the Thanksgiving season, we’re reminded to be grateful for the good things in our lives. But gratitude shouldn’t be something we practice only when the calendar tells us to.
For leaders, gratitude is a powerful way to shape organizational culture. When leaders consistently recognize what’s going well and appreciate the people making it happen, they create an environment where people feel valued and motivated to contribute.
Here are three ways to lead with gratitude.
Reflect on progress. It’s so easy to get so focused on what still needs to be done that we overlook how far we’ve come. Take time to acknowledge growth, celebrate accomplishments, and recognize the effort behind them.
Express appreciation. Don’t assume people know you appreciate them. Tell them! And be specific. A genuine thank you for a particular contribution carries far more weight than a generic "good job."
Reinforce purpose. Remind people why their work matters. When team members understand how their contributions support something bigger, they’re more likely to stay engaged, even when the work gets difficult.
Gratitude is a leadership behavior, not just a feeling. It’s something leaders demonstrate through their words and actions. As Thanksgiving approaches, consider the gratitude you’re bringing to your team. If it can make five hours of meetings enjoyable, imagine what it can do for your organization’s culture.