The Leadership Power of Gratitude

A colleague once told me the best boss they ever had thanked them after every shift. Not just a quick “thanks,” but a specific acknowledgment of something they did well that day. “It made me want to go above and beyond,” they said. “I felt seen.”

Gratitude is a leadership superpower. When people feel valued, they invest more of themselves in the work—and in you.

Here are three ways to practice gratitude as a leader:

• Recognize effort: Thank team members for their contributions, even the everyday ones.

• Celebrate milestones: Acknowledge achievements, big and small.

• Lead by example: Model gratitude in your daily interactions.

This week, develop a simple system to record your thank yous. Use the notes app on your phone or carry a small notebook with you.

Time can get away from us—it may seem like we just thanked a particular employee, when really it’s been a few weeks, so having some type of system is key for success.

How will you make gratitude a daily leadership habit?