Gratitude Is Your Career Superpower

There was a time in my leadership journey when I felt drained. Long hours, shifting metrics, and relentless demands left me running on empty. Despite all the effort, something essential felt missing. I found myself dreaming of a workplace where success wasn’t measured solely by numbers, but by the quality of our relationships and the meaning behind what we did each day.

A Wish for Connection

One day, as I was searching for a new leadership role, I had a simple thought: I’d love to work somewhere that begins the day in prayer.

By “prayer,” I don’t necessarily mean it in a religious sense but rather like a collective pause. A few moments of reflection, appreciation, or intention-setting together. A chance to connect to something greater than our individual roles, to connect to each other and the shared mission that binds us.

And then, remarkably, my wish came true.

Gratitude in Action

I joined the management team of a community organization that began each day with an 8 a.m. huddle. Every morning, someone would share a story about how the organization’s values came alive the day before. This might be how an employee went the extra mile for a client, or a team overcame a challenge together, or a small act of kindness made a big difference.

These moments were specific, heartfelt, and real. They grounded us in our shared purpose and reminded us that our work had meaning far beyond goals achieved.

The result? We started the day with inspiration and although that was followed by information, our hearts were engaged. The energy in the room lifted. This was gratitude in motion, a living, breathing expression of what it means to appreciate what’s working each day, not just when the big wins arrive.

As Eckhart Tolle wrote in A New Earth:

“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance and the only sustainable competitive advantage for a truly good company.”

The Power of Gratitude at Work

When leaders intentionally express gratitude, not as a once-a-year gesture but as a daily practice, it transforms culture.

• Employees feel valued and motivated.
• Teams become more cohesive, trusting, and resilient.
• Workplaces evolve from transactional environments into communities of purpose.

Over time, gratitude strengthens core values and drives better outcomes.

Reflection: Bringing Gratitude to Life in Your Workplace

• How do you currently recognize what’s working in your team or organization?
• What small daily rituals could you create to highlight acts of excellence, kindness, or teamwork?
• How might you express appreciation in ways that feel authentic?
• Who in your workplace consistently embodies your organization’s values, and how can you acknowledge them more often?
• What would it feel like if gratitude became a central part of your company culture?