As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the power of appreciation in the workplace. True gratitude goes beyond a simple “thank you”; it fosters a culture where people feel valued, seen, and celebrated. In my own experience, showing genuine appreciation helped build deeper connections with my team and inspired them to do the same with each other.

Here are some of the ways I expressed gratitude:

• Handwritten Cards: Thanksgiving and work anniversaries were my favorite times to share handwritten notes. A personal message can go a long way in showing someone that you see their unique contributions.
• Inclusive Celebrations: I’d only give birthday or religious holiday cards or gifts if I knew someone celebrated them, respecting everyone’s traditions and preferences.
• Shout-Outs in Team Meetings: I encouraged team members to recognize each other’s accomplishments. This created a shared space for appreciation and allowed everyone to feel valued by their peers.
• “Proudest Proud” in One-on-Ones: Inviting my team to share their “proudest proud” moment encouraged them to reflect on their wins, giving me a chance to join them in celebrating their successes.
• Performance & Feedback Conversations: Feedback sessions weren’t just about areas of improvement. I made a point to highlight my appreciation for each person’s growth, efforts, and achievements.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Not every accomplishment is big, but recognizing small wins shows that every step forward matters. I especially like this approach when an employee is learning something new or is still developing their confidence.
• Surprise Treats: I learned my team’s favorite coffee or other morning beverage preferences and would surprise people with an unexpected treat.
• Public Recognition: Many people don’t like being the center of attention in front of the room. So, I found that a more effective way to recognize people publicly was by highlighting them in a company article, email blast, or on LinkedIn.
• Opportunities for Development: Investing in someone’s growth and development communicates, “I believe in you,” which is another form of appreciation. I enjoyed sending people to training and conferences as well as giving them opportunities to participate in stretch projects.

Consider how you might share a little extra gratitude with your team this Thanksgiving season. A simple gesture of appreciation can go a long way in building a stronger, more connected workplace.

Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for being part of this community!

Wishing you the best!