Gratitude is a Leadership Practice - 8/10/26

We often talk about gratitude as something personal. We keep gratitude journals. We count our blessings. We remind ourselves to appreciate people and things around us.

But I wonder if we think enough about gratitude as a leadership practice.
As our titles get bigger, our responsibilities grow, and our accomplishments accumulate, it can become easy to forget just how many people helped us get there.

Someone opened a door...Someone taught us something.
Someone advocated for us when we weren't in the room.
Someone took a chance on us.
Someone did the work behind the scenes that allowed our work to shine.
As leaders, there are individuals whose talent, labor, creativity, and commitment contribute to our successes.
None of us leads alone.
That's why I believe gratitude is more than saying "thank you."

Gratitude requires recognition.
It requires us to see people and to acknowledge their contributions.
To give credit freely.
To remember the people who helped us along the way.
Gratitude requires humility to recognize that being a leader doesn't mean being the reason everything works.
Sometimes leadership means recognizing the people that make you better.

There's also a relationship between gratitude and power that I find particularly interesting.
When we have power, we have choices about how we use it.
We can use it to center ourselves.
Or we can use it to acknowledge others.
We can hoard opportunities or we can open doors.
We can accept all the credit, or we can make sure the people who contributed are seen.

Gratitude practiced through leadership becomes generosity.

And generosity doesn't diminish our leadership.
I would argue that it strengthens it.
Because people remember leaders who saw them.

But here's the challenge...
Gratitude cannot only show up when things are going well.
It can't be reserved for employee appreciation week, year-end celebrations, promotions, or big wins.
It has to become part of how we lead.
Regularly...Intentionally...Authentically.

Question for Reflection
Who contributed to the leader you are today and when was the last time you told them? And, who are you helping become the leader they are capable of becoming?

The Takeaway
Leadership is often measured by what we accomplish.
But maybe part of our legacy should also be measured by who we acknowledged, who we elevated, and who we helped along the way.
Gratitude reminds us that leadership isn't only about moving forward, but it's also
about recognizing the people who are moving forward with us and remembering the people who helped us get here.
So this week, find someone who has contributed to your journey.
Tell them...Give them their flowers.
Gratitude is more than something we feel. It's something we practice.

#Gratitude #Leadership #theDawnBrief