In striving for strong leadership, there’s a plethora of books, seminars and workshops for guidance explaining just what makes up an impactful leader.
Yet, oftentimes the simplest strategies can be overlooked.
Like practicing gratitude.
It’s powerful.
The Many Benefits of Being Grateful
According to Star Dargin, author of Leading with Gratitude: 21st Century Solutions to Boost Engagement and Innovation, gratitude is powerfully positive:
Studies show that gratitude improves well-being and health; people who are grateful live longer, their bodies heal more quickly, and they experience less depression.
Dargin writes that in going through dozens of books on leadership, she found similar words being repeated such as: appreciation, thankfulness, recognition and positivity. She calls them ‘flavors’ of gratitude – without being true gratitude.
Dargin digs deeper and states engagement, celebration and recognition are methods a leader can use to show gratitude, but are not quite gratitude, either. She sums up by explaining that using the word gratitude in its pure form – by saying, “I’m grateful” comes from the heart.
How does a leader who practices gratitude perform?
According to Dargin, they don’t act defensively. They listen more. They are accepting.
She gives an example of a coaching client, who though talented and skilled, felt the CIO undermined him. He didn’t feel gratitude.
Through her coaching sessions, she was able to shift her client’s focus to one of gratitude. As a result, he was able to recognize a few things about the CIO to be grateful for. Her client then showed more innovation and discovered ways to interact with the CIO. He no longer thought about resigning from the company.
“If you count all your assets, you always show a profit.”
-Robert Quillen
Transforming from Reluctance to Gratefulness
Consultant Stephanie Pollack teaches the power of appreciation and gratitude.
Kira M. Newman, writing in Berkeley’s Greater Good Magazine, notes that Pollack was hired to assist in an organization’s transition that created an upheaval for employees. Everything was changing: leadership, culture and rules – much as COVID-19 has altered life for everyone.
Stephanie explained to reluctant employees about the power of recognizing the good things in their lives and expressing their thanks. She witnessed a transformation:
After one employee composed a genuine thank you note and posted it on an ‘appreciation wall,’ everyone was soon doing the same. Although the employees began the retreat with frustration and anxieties, at the end, Pollack noticed in everyone a willingness to move forward together, in a different way.
Studies link gratitude in the workplace to:
- Less stress, fewer health complaints, reduced sick days
- Greater positive emotions, higher satisfaction with jobs and with coworkers
Newman also notes the power of gratitude: it recognizes all the positives in our lives – outside of ourselves. Culturally we tend to believe we alone are responsible for our own promotions and careers – and are hesitant to acknowledge any reliance on others.
As a leader, are you taking the time to notice the good? Are you being grateful for even the very smallest things – and not letting them go unnoticed?
Gratitude: A Simple Ingredient in the Recipe of Life
Sometimes, the simple things in life really are free – and bring rich rewards.
Such is gratitude. Simple to practice as a leader, with an avalanche of impactful benefits.
Perhaps out of the chaos and pain we have collectively experienced because of COVID-19, we can come away with a stronger sense of gratitude for the good in our lives.
Sabina Nawaz writing in Harvard Business Review notes that in a crisis, thanking others is vital. And while we often feel more thankful than we actually express, states Nawaz, thankfulness seems to be least expressed at work.
The ongoing pandemic and global unrest has understandably left people feeling worried, weary and anxious. As a leader, it’s important to take time to focus on the positives in our organizations – that may have been overlooked in the tumultuous times we’re living in.
Nawaz offers suggestions to leaders to cultivate an atmosphere of gratitude:
- Schedule a gratitude shower. Set aside a time each day for a few minutes and type out compliments for fellow workers.
- Be specific with your thanks. Dig deeper and take the time to contemplate & explain the way it benefited you.
- Honor someone each week by naming a Star Attraction. It’s a powerful way to boost positive energy. When we’re feeling stressed, we sometimes overlook the hard work & efforts our team members are putting forth. This is a great way to emphasize a “we” rather than a “me” focus.
- Make gratitude a pay it forward act. To those who have been thanked for their efforts, encourage them to write a note of appreciation to someone else.
- Show gratitude as a team. Along with others, combine your gratitude efforts for even greater impact that has a ripple effect of positivity throughout the organization.
“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”
— William Arthur Ward
Enjoy thought-provoking leadership tips that empower you to lead with greater impact. Sign up for my weekly Bold Moves messages here. They are simple, to-the-point and absolutely free.

Colleen Slaughter, Proud Executive Coach to the UN World Food Program, the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Winner
As an Executive Coach for Women in Leadership and Transformational Facilitator, my intention is to help leaders in positions of high influence to understand their worth at a profound level.
Supporting women leaders to truly thrive and step into their greatness, while succeeding in male-dominated industries and spaces is my native genius.
My technique and approach show you how to achieve incredible career success without compromising any part of who you are and what makes you magnificent.