Leading with Gratitude: Appreciating the Human Effort Behind Success
Leading with Gratitude: Appreciating the Human Effort Behind Success
Last week, as I was leaving an organisation I had been working alongside, the lead said to me, "Thank you for always bringing joy into our space." I thanked him and quietly floated out the door. For me, this was an affirmation of a quality I had been leaning into over the past year, and to have this seen and recognised was not only affirming—it also made me want to do it more.
In a world that often measures success by productivity, efficiency, and performance, it’s easy to fall into the trap of equating our worth solely with what we do. We celebrate achievements, tick off tasks, and chase milestones—yet in doing so, we risk overlooking what truly matters: who we are. Our value isn’t determined only by our output, but by our character, our relationships, and the unique strengths we bring to every situation.
From Gaps to Gold: Celebrating Who We Are
For too long, personal development and leadership have been driven by a "what’s missing?" mindset. We analyse weaknesses, set goals to fill perceived gaps, and strive for continuous improvement. But what if we shifted our focus? Instead of concentrating on deficits, imagine celebrating the strengths that already exist within us.
Discovering Your Inner Gold
To lead with gratitude and authenticity, we can start by asking ourselves a few key questions:
What activities make you feel most alive?
Reflect on moments when you’re fully engaged—whether you’re immersed in a creative project, connecting with nature, or leading an inspiring team meeting. These experiences reveal the passions and strengths that energise you.
Which qualities do your friends, colleagues, and family admire in you?
Listen to the words of appreciation you receive. Are you recognised for your empathy, resilience, creativity, or leadership? These qualities are your inner gold.
How can you incorporate more of these strengths into your daily routine?
Look for ways to align your life with what makes you thrive. Whether it’s setting aside time for reflection or creating opportunities to let your unique energy shine, these actions reinforce who you are at your core.
Feedback That Fuels Growth
Recognising and naming strengths isn’t just about validation—it’s about empowerment. As leaders, colleagues, and friends, we uplift one another by seeing and celebrating who we are, not merely what we produce. Here’s how simple, strengths-based feedback can create a culture of genuine appreciation and growth:
Resilience and Composure:
"Your calm under pressure kept us on track."
Innovative Thinking:
"Your creative solutions made a real difference."
Empathy and Support:
"Your supportive approach builds strong team trust."
Integrity and Ethical Leadership:
"Your commitment to integrity keeps us true to our values."
These focused statements do more than affirm positive behaviours; they empower individuals to continue growing and stepping into their strengths.
So how might I begin?
First we may need to expand our understanding and vocabulary of character based strengths or virtues. This site provides a useful list of virtues that help build your understanding and vocabulary: Virtues for Life.
Then begin noticing qualities within yourself and those around you:
Set aside times in your day where you not only review the mahi you have accomplished, but the qualities you have shown as you have done the work. Cultivating your inner qualities not only transforms your own experience, it also illuminates the path for others.
Then begin to offer feedback to those around you on the qualities they have shown.
These are not time-consuming practices, but they do have a high positive impact.
One last word:
Often, recognising the strengths in others comes naturally—it’s easier to see their brilliance. But don’t forget to shine that same light on your own unique qualities.
Go well this week
Mary-Anne :-)