We spend a significant portion of our waking hours at work. Beyond productivity and performance, our experience of those hours matters, too. Most of us know what it feels like to be appreciated and what it feels like when our efforts go unnoticed. When expressed genuinely, gratitude can help people feel seen, valued, and connected. It is a relational emotion that helps us recognize the contributions, kindness, and support we receive from others and gives us an opportunity to let them know that what they do matters. It’s also mutually beneficial! Expressing gratitude benefits both the giver and the receiver. Research suggests it can also:
In our workplaces, moments of appreciation can strengthen our sense of value and belonging and contribute to a culture of respect where people may feel more comfortable asking questions and sharing ideas. Gratitude is not the only ingredient in psychological safety, but it can help create an environment where people feel supported. This makes a difference in our everyday work experience, and for organizations looking to retain talent and build teams that navigate challenges together.
Why Gratitude Matters, Especially When Things Are Changing
Many people find it easier to express and practice gratitude when things are going well. If your team is celebrating a big win, landing the client, closing the deal, or perhaps receiving an award, the appreciation may flow naturally. Yet the reality is that in the day-to-day, many organizations are also facing restructuring, navigating shifting priorities, operating with stretched resources, and people may just be trying to find their footing amid uncertainty.
People are not just moving through a change-management plan. They are experiencing change in a very real and personal way, on top of everything else they may already be carrying in their lives outside work. This is where gratitude encourages us to recognize people’s contributions while also acknowledging the realities they are navigating. The more intentionally we express gratitude, the more it flows through our teams and becomes part of our work culture, creating the conditions in which people can do the good work.
Ways to Bring More Gratitude Into the Workplace
1. Make your thank-you specific.
Take an extra moment to say “thank you” explicitly to those on your team. Hold eye contact and pause. Let the “thank you” land and sink in.
Or if you are connecting remotely, be specific in the email about what you are thankful for. For example, “Thank you for getting this report to me on time and in the format I asked for. This will help me with preparing for the next meeting.” Thank your manager for clarity and your colleagues for jumping in to support you in a moment you really needed it. Let them know what they did that made a difference.
2. Check in, and really listen.
Connect at least once a week, even with a simple message, email, or office pop-in. Ask how your teammates are doing, what is going well, and where they could use support. Listen to understand, not always to fix.
As leaders and teammates, we want our people to feel safe enough to learn, grow, take risks, and make mistakes. Yet, the reality is that no space is technically safe. It is the people in these spaces who can make us feel safe. A strategy that suggests that you are a safe individual people can talk to is to ask, “Do you need me to listen? Offer some advice? Intervene?”
3. Notice the progress and process, not just the outcome.
We are often more likely to celebrate the finished product than we are to recognize the collaboration, problem-solving, patience, creativity, and persistence that made it possible. Take time to acknowledge the person who asked the thoughtful question, helped a colleague get unstuck, or kept the team connected during a busy season. This helps people see that their everyday efforts make a difference.
4. Recognize people in the rooms they are not in.
Speak positively about colleagues’ contributions when they are not present. Give credit where it is due, share their ideas, and make their work visible. Being recognized for your good work boosts morale not just for the person being recognized, but others, too.
Gratitude Essential Reads
Gratitude can open doors and help build a culture where people advocate for and cheer one another on. Remember, the people at the top are collaborating. The people at the bottom are competing.
5. Ask what appreciation looks like to them.
Not everyone experiences appreciation in the same way. While some team members may value public shout-outs, others might prefer a private thank-you, a thoughtful email, or a handwritten note. For others, small gestures, like bringing them a coffee or a cookie unexpectedly, mean the most. Taking the time to ask what helps each person feel valued can ensure your appreciation truly resonates. What support would make their work more sustainable? What opportunities would help them grow? What would make the biggest difference to them right now? Sometimes, appreciation from a leader can mean opening the door to new opportunities for growth or giving someone the flexibility to attend their child’s school event or care for an aging parent.
Final Thoughts
If people on a team feel invisible, it’s harder for them to feel connected to a shared purpose, and when contributions consistently go unrecognized, people can be left feeling discouraged and disengaged. Gratitude is not a band-aid that can fix a broken system, replace fair compensation, ease unreasonable workloads, or provide real support. Yet when people feel seen and valued, it helps create the conditions for more positive and fulfilling workdays, and they are more likely to do their best work and bring their strengths forward.
Before moving on to your next task, I have one final gentle invitation: Who has made your work a little easier or your day a little better? Take a moment to tell them.
Our workdays are made up of many tasks, but we live them alongside others. Taking the time to notice, say thank you, and let people know they matter can have a lasting impact, not only on an individual level, but on the workplace culture created together.
