Somehow, although I truly can’t fathom it, November is already here, and with it comes that familiar reminder to pause and give thanks. We are continuously reminded to count our blessings, appreciate the people in our lives and reflect on all that we have to be grateful for.
And I love that. I really do.
However lately, I’ve been thinking about gratitude a little differently.
What if gratitude wasn’t just something we felt, but something we DID?
Something happened recently that really brought this home for me.
For the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of working with Cohen’s Fashion Optical, helping develop their managers into confident, capable, heart-centered leaders. Recently, they surprised me with something I never saw coming.
An award.
They called it the Leadership Architect Award, recognizing the work we’ve done together over these past five years.
Now, I’ve been in this business a long time, 27 years to be exact, and I’ve been extremely fortunate to receive beautiful recognition along the way. But never, in all my years, has a client given ME, their outside leadership development partner, an award.
Talk about a WOW moment!
I was genuinely touched. Not so much because of the award itself, but because these managers collectively came together and took the time to make me feel seen, valued and appreciated. I was truly in awe.
And it got me thinking…
How often do we feel grateful for someone but never actually TELL them? How many people make a massive difference in our lives without ever knowing the impact they’ve had?
I get it…life gets busy. We move from one responsibility to the next, running so fast at times that we have to remind ourselves to breathe. And sometimes…dare I say, oftentimes…the things we feel most deeply are the very things we forget to express to those that deserve to hear it most.
This I know…unexpressed gratitude doesn’t have nearly the same power as gratitude put into action.
And isn’t that what leadership, at its heart, is really all about? Making people feel seen…valued…important.
So, this November, I have a little challenge for U.
Let’s practice turning gratitude into action. Here’s how:
1. Say it. Tell someone specifically why U appreciate them. This isn’t just a compliment, tell them the behavior and the specific IMPACT of that behavior, and why it matters. (Don’t assume they know U appreciate them…good chance they don’t.)
2. Show it. Find one small, intentional way to brighten someone’s day. A thoughtful gesture, a warm smile, a kind word, a simple note, a nurturing hug, a favorite treat. No recognition or reciprocation required.
3. Live it. Ask yourself whether your actions reflect the appreciation U feel for the people around U. I mean…REALLY ask yourself this question. Who deserves to hear, see and feel more from U? (And while you’re at it, be kind to yourself and give yourself a bit of appreciation too, ok?!)
Here’s the deal…we never really know what someone else is carrying, or how much one simple gesture might mean.
I certainly didn’t expect an award from a client. I can tell U this with complete certainty though…I’ll never forget how it made me feel.
And isn’t that the point?
Gratitude costs us nothing, yet it can mean everything, because appreciation means more when we put it into action. So this November, let’s do more than count our blessings.
Let’s become one of someone else’s.
Happy Thanksgiving, Leaders.
With love & gratitude,
Jodi