Gratitude: The Critical deServing Leadership Trait

As we get into the holiday season, I have been pondering about gratitude as a leadership trait. If deServing leadership sits at the crossroads of servitude and emotional intelligence, then I suggest that deServing leaders should be intentional about building a culture of encouragement and gratitude.

Why? — Because gratitude sets the tone for servant-minded communications. Being grateful is a heartfelt way of living and growing. And being heartfelt is at the core of serving others, especially in challenging times or when you need to hold someone accountable.

As John Maxwell states, “Gratitude doesn’t come from our circumstances; it comes from how we choose to see the world. Quite simply, gratitude comes from your heart.”

By consistently leading with an attitude of gratitude, deServing leaders develop positive relationships, build confidence in others, foster innovation, build trust, and improve productivity.

Here are a few ways that help make gratitude a core part of your leadership skills:

• Make gratitude intentional and routine. Make it a goal each day to catch people doing the “right thing,” and let them know how much you appreciate it, and the difference their work is making for the organization and customers.

• Be specific and authentic. Let your team know precisely how their performance or behavior has made a real difference.

• When appropriate, make it a “Big Deal.” We just celebrated a successful year at EVENTEQ. We went through all the possible recognitions (and there were many) and selected those that should be celebrated publicly.

• Write hand-written notes of appreciation. Hand-written notes take more effort and mean more to the recipient. For years, I have personally written a hand-written appreciation note to every client after every event. It helps keep me informed about what we are doing for our clients and shows the clients that no matter how large we get, I am genuinely grateful for their trust and business.

• Welcome and appreciate gratitude. Graciously accept appreciation coming your way as well.

• Each day ask yourself, Who is one person who needs to hear me say, “Thank you, I’m grateful for you.”

To be a true deServing leader, you must value gratitude enough to make time for it in your daily schedules. Gratitude must be rapid and timely, it must be personal, and you must take the time to do it right.

For deServing leaders, genuine gratitude helps people perform to their highest capabilities, work with passion, and embrace a profound connection to their leader’s missions and objectives.