Leading With Gratitude

My Insights on How to be a Leader Who Makes a Lasting Impact

In the world of corporate leadership, one quality that can set you apart is the ability to lead with gratitude. As a Vice President of Enterprise Solutions, I've learned that being a grateful leader not only fosters a positive work environment but also drives success and fosters stronger team dynamics.

Generosity in general has been a huge aspect of my life. Growing up I learned the importance of gratitude watching my grandparents and parents struggle to meet the needs of life and keep things afloat. That said, they did it and made significant strides in their lives by continuing to give back and be truly thankful for what they had at each stage of their path.

Their lesson and the passion I saw from them gave me the heart to continue what I call the ripple effect of gratitude.

Over the years in past roles, I’ve been able to learn from amazing mentors that showed how to lead with the view that feedback is a gift, and the ability to help others grow is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling actions you can take in life.  Yet, the prior statement is only compounded with the addition of providing a foundation for teams that use a growth mindset paired with being thankful for the opportunity to learn and grow.

This mindset and all of these experiences have led me to where I am today. I carry this mindset through as a leader at MBO who is truly grateful for the role I play and the people I impact, and also in my new and growing non-profit called Rays of Gratitude. It is here where my full passion for gratitude surfaces.

Rays of Gratitude works with our partners in fundraising efforts to support wildlife conservation, underprivileged children, families in times of crisis, and in numerous other areas that need aid. I believe standing on the base of gratitude can unite us all to make a greater difference in the world around us.

The vision set here holds true in all aspects of my life. Which is why I want to welcome you to my own personal leadership series where I will write and give my insights on how to be a leader who inspires, impacts, and leaves a lasting legacy. For today though, I'll share with you my top insights and tips on how to be a leader who inspires through gratitude.

1. Lead by Example:

Being a leader means you will be looked to for guidance. Leading with gratitude means modeling the behavior you expect from others. Place yourself in the viewpoint of each individual in your team and ask yourself how you would want your boss to show up. That will serve as your base guideline to whether or not you’re leading by example.

When you demonstrate gratitude in your interactions with colleagues, it sets the tone for the entire organization. Showcase the importance of gratitude in your leadership style.

2. Show Empathy:

Gratitude goes hand in hand with empathy. Understand that your team members are human, with their own challenges and emotions. Empathize with their struggles and celebrate their successes. Being there for your team in both difficult and joyous moments creates a strong sense of gratitude and loyalty.

Don’t become the boss that everyone fears and no one can come to. What type of legacy do you want to leave behind with them? One of fear, or one where they speak of you as a person who truly cared about their staff.

This goes for clients as well. How you treat them and how you show up will affect the way they respond or do business with you.

3. Invest in Development:

Grateful leaders invest in the growth and development of their team members. This includes providing opportunities for skill development, mentoring, and career progression.

Throughout my life, I have been very fortunate to have some of the most amazing mentors.  Each one showed me a different side of the business of skills development and how to inspire others to grow within their strengths.

I am truly thankful for the leadership and mentorship from my prior leaders.  Whether in positive or difficult times they allowed me the space to grow and learn from each of them to gain strengths I utilize today to help others.

When your team sees that you are invested in their growth, they will be grateful for your support and commitment to their success.

4. Celebrate Milestones:

Don't let accomplishments go unnoticed. Celebrate both individual and team milestones. Recognize and appreciate the hard work that led to these achievements.

If there is a person who truly stands out, give them a shout out. Trust me, everyone’s favorite name to hear is their own!

So, whether it's a project completion, a work anniversary, or a promotion, acknowledge the significance of these moments. This will foster team bonding and loyalty which will pay off in accountability in the long run.

5. Foster Work-Life Balance:

Support your team's well-being by promoting a healthy work-life balance.

Trust me, as a mom, a full-time employee, a CEO of a non-profit, and all of the other small obligations I have in my life, I know the importance of a work-life balance. And this is when gratitude to yourself also comes into play. If you don’t take the time to admire your own work and the efforts you make, you’ll feel like you’re lacking, that you’re not good enough, and that you’re one big failure. If you’re not thankful for yourself and the efforts you’re making, then you’ll never be fulfilled, and you also won’t be able to be grateful or give the best version of yourself to others.

If you validate your own need for balance, you’ll be able to relate to your team as well and be a truly grateful leader. This type of leader understand that their team members have lives outside of work and respect their personal time.

Remember, you may or may not always know what a person may be experiencing in their personal life, and that almost always affects how they show up to work. So, encourage a culture that values and prioritizes this balance.

6. Express Gratitude for Challenges:

Challenges and setbacks are opportunities for growth. I like to recall Thomas Edison's quote, “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”

Grateful leaders appreciate the lessons learned from difficulties and openly acknowledge them. They show gratitude for the resilience and determination your team demonstrates in overcoming obstacles and try-try again.

Bringing this to a close, leading with gratitude is not only about saying thank you but also about creating a culture of appreciation, empathy, and respect. As a VP of Enterprise Solutions, I've seen firsthand the positive impact that a grateful leadership approach can have on an organization.

Grateful leaders inspire their teams to go above and beyond, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to succeed. So, embrace gratitude in your leadership journey, and watch as it transforms your team and your organization for the better. In the end, it will create a ripple effect of gratitude where our society begins to shift their mindset to being more and more thankful for the now.