The Power of Gratitude

Thanksgiving dinners often feature the tradition of going around the table to share what we’re thankful for—a rare but heartwarming practice.

Everyone chimes in: family, health, and maybe Aunt Megan’s famous pumpkin pie. It’s an act that feels good, even if Uncle Mark turns it into a monologue. But here’s the question: why limit this to once a year? Turns out, expressing gratitude isn’t just a feel-good holiday ritual; it’s also an underused leadership superpower.

Research backs this up. Studies show that gratitude boosts workplace morale and productivity. Employees who feel genuinely appreciated are more engaged, show higher job satisfaction, and are more likely to support their colleagues. For leaders, expressing thanks can reinforce behaviors that drive success, creating a cycle of positive reinforcement.

One study even found that workers who receive recognition for their efforts are more likely to exhibit “organizational citizenship behaviors,” like going above and beyond for the team. This isn’t just anecdotal—it’s science. Another piece of research highlights how regular gratitude practices, such as acknowledging team contributions, enhance emotional well-being and foster better collaboration .

Gratitude as a leadership tool is simple, effective, and, frankly, a no-brainer. Yet most of us reserve it for special occasions. Why? Habit, busyness, or maybe a misconception that it’s unnecessary. But the data proves otherwise. Gratitude makes teams happier, healthier, and more cohesive. And here’s the kicker: it makes leaders more effective, too. Gratitude increases emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and resilience—all critical leadership traits.

So, this holiday season, take a cue from your Thanksgiving table. Start saying thanks more often. Recognize the team member who identified a problem and proactively solved it or the one who took a risk and tried something new. Send a quick thank-you email, shout them out at the next All Hands. Maybe create a #Thanks channel in Slack and post it there for all to see. Your team—and your bottom line—will thank you.

For more on the impact of gratitude in the workplace, you can check out this research on gratitude and employee performance from Gallup and this study on emotional benefits of gratitude from the University of California, Berkeley.

And, of course, thank YOU, dear readers for taking the time to read this.