Small Practice, Big Impact: The Role of Gratitude in Leadership

As our friends in the US celebrated Thanksgiving this week, I was reminded how transformative it was to pause and count our blessings. In the rush of corporate life full of targets, deadlines and overflowing inboxes, gratitude can feel like a luxury we rarely have time for. And yet, expressing gratitude regularly is considered one of the most powerful practices for mental health and wellbeing. More than just a seasonal sentiment, gratitude is a daily practice that has the potential to shift our inner landscape and, in turn, our organisational cultures.

“The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness” ― Dalai lama

The Benefits of Gratitude

Gratitude is a cornerstone of positive psychology, the branch of psychology that focuses on optimal human functioning and living a fulfilling life, instead of addressing dysfunctions and mental illness. According to Happiness Academy, my favourite positive psychology toolbox, 'The Power of Gratitude – Appreciating the Beauty and the Value of Experiences and People Around you' is one of the 12 pillars of happiness.

Improved Mental Health

Practicing gratitude can enhance mental wellbeing by increasing happiness and reducing stress.

It disconnects us from toxic, negative emotions, and shifts our focus to positive thoughts instead.

It also allows us to take a step back and see the big picture. That problem we are so worried about and it is causing us stress is not our whole reality. Recognising this gives us the clarity to deal with the issue more effectively.

Stronger Relationships

Gratitude strengthens relationships by fostering feelings of connection and appreciation between individuals. It is true for personal, as well as professional relationships.

It is not just about reciprocity – helping those that have helped us. Research shows that grateful people are more likely to help strangers.

We are taught from a young age to say 'thank you' when someone does something nice for us, and we can bring it to a next level when we also express our appreciation not just for what they do but for who they are. This helps us connect with them on a much deeper level, nurturing trust, loyalty and a sense of belonging.

Boost for Optimism and Confidence

Regular gratitude exercises, such as journaling, can improve self-esteem and promote a more positive outlook on life. Gratitude lessens the urge to compare yourself to others constantly. When you're thankful for what you have, you’re less likely to feel the need to have what other people possess.

Gratitude in Leadership

Most of us spend nearly one-third of our adult life working, therefore it is vital that we spend this time in healthy, supportive environments.

Yet integrating gratitude into organisational culture can be challenging. Why?

Researcher Amie Gordon (2019) identified and busted four myths about being grateful at work.

1. "It's forced"

Often this recommendation would stem from an HR initiative, and employees often have a natural resistance to such programmes. However, her research shows that even if gratitude exercises are initiated from an external source like HR, rather than the employees' own initiative, they still work, and over time, people begin to feel the benefits.

2. "It's fake"

People feel they are being pushed into expressing gratitude all the time even when they don't actually feel it. Building a culture of gratitude is in fact about allowing space and opportunity to express gratitude in an authentic way when it naturally emerges, rather than oppressing it.

3. "It's fluffy"

Workplace is a serious business, fluffy concepts like 'gratitude' don't belong in this environment.

Actually, at the core of gratitude is the concept of recognising the value in others and feeling valued, which is a fundamental human need. We want to feel appreciated in our workplace, and developing gratitude as part of the team culture does just that. Especially in challenging times, appreciation becomes a source of energy, motivation and resilience.

4. "It undermines authority"

Some leaders worry that expressing authority can be seen as a source of weakness.

In fact, leaders who practice gratitude are perceived as having more integrity. A manager thanking a team member on a meeting for the amazing work they've done can be a huge boost of confidence for them.

The bottom line is that a person who feels appreciated will always do more than what is expected. Gratitude inspires people to do more.

How to Practice Gratitude?

Here are simple, accessible practices to bring more gratitude into your daily life and leadership:

📖 Daily Gratitude Journalling

One of the most popular gratitude exercises is the daily gratitude journal, which helps you explore positive aspects of your life. Even 2–3 times a week is beneficial.

🥰 Count Your Blessing

This exercise only requires a few minutes a day. At the end of your day, list three people, moments or experiences you appreciated that day.

💌 Write Letters of Gratitude Regularly

Express appreciation to someone who has impacted your life. Even if you don’t send the letter, the act itself is powerful.

🗣️ Practice saying “thank you” in a real and meaningful way

Be specific about the other person's contribution and your appreciation for them.

🧘‍♀️ Gratitude Meditation

Take a few quiet minutes to visualize all that you are grateful for in your life.

💬 Affirmations for Gratitude

Choose an affirmation to repeat to yourself daily, saying it aloud to yourself while looking into your own eyes in a mirror. Repeat this until you start believing it. Or turn it into a piece of lettering art to put on your wall, desktop or phone lock screen to keep reminding yourself. Some examples are:

• I am thankful for this new day.

• I appreciate others for who they are.

• I am blessed for all that I have in life.

• I am grateful for the abundance of life that surrounds me.

• I choose to see the best in life.

"A hundred times a day I remind myself that my inner and outer life depends on the labours of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the measure as I have received and am still receiving." - Albert Einstein

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Thank you for reading and have a wonderful week ahead.

The light in me honours the light in you.

Namaste