The Power of Gratitude in Organizations: A Thanksgiving Reflection

Around the world, different traditions emphasize giving thanks—whether it’s the harvest festivals of Southeast Asia, the Autumn Moon Festival in China, or the Ubuntu philosophy in parts of Africa, which centers on interconnectedness and mutual care. Thanksgiving is this week in the United States—a holiday where many of us gather to eat too much, tell the same family stories for the hundredth time, and, ideally, pause to reflect on what we’re thankful for. It’s a practice that feels right at home in a cozy kitchen but, interestingly, often gets left behind when we step into our workplaces. 

This blog post isn’t just for my fellow Americans gearing up for pumpkin pie, though. Whether your country celebrates Thanksgiving, Diwali, Chuseok, or no specific gratitude-focused holiday at all, the theme of giving thanks is a universal one. It’s about connecting, reflecting, and appreciating—qualities that transcend borders and cultures. In fact, gratitude isn’t just “nice-to-have” but a foundational practice for thriving teams and workplaces.

Why Gratitude Matters

Gratitude isn’t just about saying thank you (though that’s a good start); it’s about intentionally pausing to recognize and celebrate what’s going well. This matters because our brains are wired to focus on problems. As an organizational developer, I see this all the time. Teams get so caught up in what’s broken—missed deadlines, strained budgets, never-ending meetings—that they lose sight of what’s working. Gratitude helps counterbalance this negativity bias, shifting our focus from scarcity (“what’s missing?”) to abundance (“what do we have?”). It’s a powerful reframe, especially in organizations adopting self-management practices, where collaboration and shared purpose are key.

Gratitude also builds trust. A simple “thank you for your contributions” can remind people that their efforts are noticed and valued. And when people feel valued, they engage more deeply, work more creatively, and feel more connected to their colleagues. Gratitude has ripple effects that can transform a team’s culture from “meh” to “wow.”

There’s a ton of research that supports the transformative power of gratitude in the workplace. Adam Grant of Wharton and Francesca Gino of Harvard Business School explored this in a field study with university fundraisers.¹ They found that when a manager, who didn’t typically interact with the staff, took a few minutes to thank the fundraisers and emphasize the importance of their work, it led to a more than 50% increase in the number of calls made per week. This dramatic boost in effort demonstrates how a simple act of gratitude from leadership can significantly enhance engagement and productivity.

In fact, leaders who practice gratitude as a core part of their leadership style build stronger, more resilient teams. Research and expert insights emphasize that expressing genuine gratitude demonstrates vulnerability and empathy—qualities that inspire trust and motivate teams.² When leaders show appreciation, they create a ripple effect, energizing their teams and fostering a culture of collaboration and engagement. Gratitude signals to team members that their efforts matter and that they are seen not just as contributors but as valued individuals. This people-positive approach reflects a shift away from rigid, control-focused leadership toward a more open, human-centered style that drives both individual and organizational success.

A Simple Exercise: The Gratitude Retrospective

Here’s where I bring in the practical side of things. If you’re reading this and thinking, “Okay, I get it, but how do I do gratitude in my workplace?” I’ve got you covered. Below is a safe-to-fail experiment I call the Gratitude Retrospective. It’s simple, takes less than 30 minutes, and gives measurable results in the form of team morale and alignment.

Title: Gratitude Retrospective

Objective: Increase team cohesion and positivity by celebrating achievements and contributions.
Time Required: 20-30 minutes

Steps:

1. Set the Stage: At the start of your next team meeting, carve out 20 minutes for this exercise. Explain that the goal is to reflect on the recent weeks or months and share what you’re grateful for in the team’s work.
   
2. Frame the Discussion: Use prompts like:
   • “What’s one thing someone on this team did recently that made your work easier or better?”
   • “What’s a win we’ve achieved as a group that you feel proud of?”
   • “What’s one resource or process we have in place that makes a positive difference?”
     
3. Go Around the Room: Each person shares their response to one or more prompts. Encourage specificity: “I appreciated that Jake stayed late to troubleshoot the client’s issue,” is far more impactful than “Thanks for your hard work.”
   
4. Capture Gratitude: Write these reflections down on a shared board or digital tool like Miro or Trello. Seeing the collective gratitude visually can be incredibly energizing.
   
5. Close with Reflection: Wrap up by noting any themes or surprises that emerged. Did the team realize how much they rely on a specific person’s expertise? Did they rediscover a process they’d taken for granted?
   

Expected Outcome: Teams that practice this exercise report feeling more connected and energized. It can also highlight hidden strengths and contributions that aren’t always visible in the daily grind. The bonus? Teams often leave these retrospectives with clearer alignment on their shared purpose and values.

Building Gratitude into Organizational Culture

If you try the Gratitude Retrospective and love the results, don’t stop there! Gratitude works best when it’s woven into the fabric of your organizational culture, not just reserved for special occasions. Here are a few ways to make gratitude a regular practice:

• Create a “Shout-Outs” Slack Channel: Encourage team members to share quick notes of appreciation when someone helps them out or does something awesome.
• Celebrate Milestones and Small Wins: Don’t wait for the big victories to celebrate. Acknowledging progress along the way keeps morale high.
• Model Gratitude as a Leader: If you’re in a leadership position, show the way by regularly thanking your team and naming specific contributions that made an impact.

Wrapping It All Up

Whatever your cultural context, the idea is universal: gratitude reminds us that none of us succeeds alone. It reinforces our shared humanity and strengthens the bonds that make working together possible. This Thanksgiving week, whether you’re feasting on turkey, enjoying time off, or simply plugging away at your work, I invite you to take a moment to reflect on gratitude—not just as a warm, fuzzy feeling but as a powerful tool for organizational transformation. When we practice gratitude in our teams, we don’t just feel good; we build trust, connection, and resilience.

And hey, if you try the Gratitude Retrospective or have your own gratitude practices to share, I’d love to hear about them. After all, there’s nothing better than spreading a little gratitude around.

From my desk to yours: thank you for reading, for your commitment to people-positive workplaces, and for being part of this journey. Happy Thanksgiving to those celebrating, and a heartfelt thanks to all of you for the work you do, wherever you are in the world!

With gratitude,
Erika

1. https://hbr.org/podcast/2013/11/the-big-benefits-of-a-little-t

2. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/giving-thanks-will-make-you-a-better-leader/