The Grateful Leader – How Gratitude Shapes Great Leadership
- Brainz Magazine
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Heidi Richards Mooney is a dynamic professional speaker, celebrated author, seasoned entrepreneur, and Senior Executive Contributor dedicated to empowering individuals and businesses to succeed. As a past president of the Florida Speakers Association, she has inspired countless audiences with her expertise in PR, internet marketing, and brand elevation.
Leadership isn’t only about vision, strategy, or performance metrics. It’s about the heart behind it all, the human connection that keeps a team inspired, engaged, and resilient. And at the center of that connection is gratitude.
As leaders, our ability to express appreciation genuinely and consistently can transform not just how people work but why they work. Gratitude reminds people that they matter. It builds trust, boosts morale, and strengthens the invisible threads that bind teams together through good times and bad.
The power of gratitude in leadership
In my years of leading multiple businesses, from my floral shop, Eden Florist, to my online communities like Women in Ecommerce™ and Her Business Listings Directory, I’ve learned that gratitude isn’t a leadership add-on. It’s a foundation.
When people feel seen and valued, they don’t just meet expectations, they exceed them. Gratitude fuels creativity, loyalty, and courage. It creates space for people to bring their best selves forward, because they know their effort won’t go unnoticed.
I’ve seen this firsthand in my own team. A heartfelt “thank you” after a long event day or a personal note recognizing someone’s contribution to a project often does more than any incentive program could.
“People don’t work for companies, they work for people who appreciate them.”
A real-life reminder: Flowers, faith, and follow-through
In the early days of Eden Florist, there were many late nights and unexpected challenges, flower shipments delayed, last-minute weddings, and community events that required every ounce of creativity. During one particularly stressful Valentine’s week, one of my team members stayed until midnight helping me finish dozens of last-minute orders.
The next morning, I left her a bouquet of her favorite lilies and a note that simply said, “You make our business bloom.” She told me later that it made her feel not just like an employee, but like family. And by the way, 30 years later, she still shows up.
Moments like those taught me that gratitude isn’t just saying thank you, it’s showing it in ways that reflect sincerity and care.
The science (and soul) of gratitude
Research backs up what many of us intuitively know. Gratitude improves mental health, reduces stress, and enhances decision-making. For leaders, this means clearer thinking, better relationships, and a more positive organizational culture.
When gratitude becomes part of a company’s DNA, it affects how people treat each other, how they handle challenges, and how they serve clients or customers. It shifts the culture from “what’s wrong” to “what’s strong.”
5 ways to lead with gratitude and live it
1. Start with reflection
Gratitude begins internally. Each morning, take a few quiet moments to name three things or people you’re grateful for. This small ritual re-centers your focus from what’s missing to what’s meaningful.
In my own routine, I often jot these down over coffee with my husband, Poppy. Sometimes it’s something simple, such as a beautiful sunrise, a successful project launch, or a kind message from a client. That shared moment sets the tone for the entire day.
Try to start meetings by inviting your team to share one “win” or one thing they’re grateful for that week. You’ll be amazed at how the energy in the room shifts.
2. Say it out loud
Silent appreciation doesn’t inspire, spoken gratitude does. Make a habit of calling out people’s efforts publicly and privately.
When one of my writers for WE Magazine turned in an article that exceeded expectations, I didn’t just email her “Great job.” I tagged her on several social channels and shared what specifically made her work shine. It showed her that I was paying attention and encouraged others to raise their own bar.
“Gratitude, when spoken, multiplies; when withheld, it withers.”
A few genuine words of appreciation can do more to motivate than a dozen reminders about deadlines.
3. Celebrate small wins
Leaders often hold celebrations for big milestones, but the small, everyday victories are where teams build confidence and momentum.
At Eden Florist, we celebrate the first sale of the day with a small bell we ring behind the counter. It’s a cheerful reminder that progress, no matter how small, deserves acknowledgment. The same applies online, celebrate when a team member reaches a personal goal, lands a client, or tries something new.
Gratitude for the process, not just the outcome, creates an atmosphere of consistent positivity and growth.
4. Personalize your thanks
Gratitude is most powerful when it’s personal. Learn how the people you lead like to be recognized. Some appreciate public praise, while others prefer quiet acknowledgment.
One of my long-time team members at Women in Ecommerce is shy about being in the spotlight, so instead of announcing her work in a group setting, I often send her a handwritten note to express my gratitude. The message is the same, “I see you, and I appreciate you,” but tailored to her comfort level.
Whether it’s a birthday card, a flower arrangement, or simply remembering a loved one’s name, personalized gratitude shows that your appreciation is intentional, not automatic.
5. Model it publicly
The most effective way to teach gratitude is to model it. Leaders set the emotional tone for their organizations. If you show appreciation often, others will follow your lead.
I make it a point to highlight others’ work on social media, to credit contributors in my magazines and directories, and to thank collaborators in public posts. It not only spreads positivity but also demonstrates that gratitude is part of our culture, not an afterthought.
Leading with gratitude means being generous with credit, humble with praise, and consistent in kindness.
A leader’s gratitude legacy
My husband, affectionately known as Poppy, often reminds me that “Leadership isn’t about lifting yourself up, it’s about lifting others higher.” That wisdom still guides me today.
In every venture, publication, and partnership I’ve been part of, gratitude has been the golden thread, the thing that turns ambition into impact.
When you lead with gratitude, you don’t just build followers. You nurture future leaders. You create a culture of kindness, appreciation, and shared success that outlives any single achievement.
So as we enter this season of thanksgiving, take a moment to look around at your team, your peers, your community, and ask, “Who can I thank today?”
You might just find that gratitude not only changes your leadership, it changes you.
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough and what we lead into legacy.” – Heidi Richards Mooney
Read more from Heidi Richards Mooney
Heidi Richards Mooney, Author, Coach & Entrepreneur
Heidi Richards Mooney is a dynamic professional speaker, celebrated author, seasoned entrepreneur, and Senior Executive Contributor dedicated to empowering individuals and businesses to succeed. As a past president of the Florida Speakers Association, she has inspired countless audiences with her expertise in PR, internet marketing, and brand elevation. A small business owner and PR strategist, Heidi specializes in helping clients amplify their online presence, craft compelling narratives, and achieve measurable results. She empowers her clients to get their websites and online profiles noticed by leveraging innovative Public Relations campaigns, capitalizing on achievements to secure media attention, and building a consistent and influential brand voice.
