When you feel appreciated, valued, and recognized, how are your actions impacted? Do you get energy from sincere and well-deserved acknowledgement? How is your productivity, creativity, and overall well-being affected?

Well, just as dismissive comments can negatively impact our outlook and output, validating comments can uplift both—and that’s the power of gratitude. Research reveals that 93% of people say that grateful bosses are more likely to succeed and that a “thank you” from a boss can boost productivity by more than 50%. So not only does appreciation from a leader enhance success rates, but it increases employee productivity too. And that’s because employee recognition can affect well-being, and in turn, a workplace culture.

In this article, we share three reasons why conveying gratitude is key for a successful leader.

Why a Leader Should Convey Gratitude

1. It keeps you humble. When you’re aware that someone else helped you get to where you’re at and you give them the credit they deserve, it’s unlikely that you’ll become associated with ego or arrogance. And no one wants to follow an arrogant leader. To earn the respect of those you lead, you must understand the value they bring and show them appreciation for sharing their skills, strengths, and intellect with you and your organization. Acknowledge the work of others and you’ll remain an approachable, authentic, humble leader who knows they can’t (and shouldn’t) do everything.

2. It communicates value and care. Have you ever received a card or an email from someone you’ve worked with simply thanking you for a part you played in a project or team? If you received it from someone you trust and respect, those words held power, didn’t they? That’s because they validated you. You likely felt encouraged and inspired in your work, but at the core: you felt seen. And everyone needs to feel that way. When your unique contribution is acknowledged, not only are you given well-deserved credit, but you’re essentially told that your work matters. 

3. It enhances company culture. People notice how their leader shows up. It’s a big responsibility, but also a special privilege. If you show appreciation for those you work with—in all roles and departments—you’ll create a culture of gratitude in your workplace. And an organization filled with people communicating care and value to one another on a regular basis will become a place where people have one another’s back, work together toward a shared purpose, and experience collectively high levels of collaboration and productivity. But it starts at the top—with the leader.

So, as we head toward the end of this calendar year, take some time to reflect upon who has helped you get to where you’re at. And don’t focus solely on the people you consider colleagues—of course, don’t forget them, but often our family, friends, and mentors outside of the office are key players in our career success and leadership development. And their influence in your life can be hugely impactful. Then once you’ve identified the people that you want to thank, figure out what that might look like—cards or gifts are typical forms of appreciation—but consider the individual and how they might best receive your thanks. You can get creative, as long as you’re sincere.

If you’d like to work on your self-leadership so that you can be a leader who uplifts and encourages those around them, reach out. Our team of executive coaches are skilled in working with busy leaders who want to grow in their self-leadership and positively impact those they’re privileged to lead.