Issue 39: The Quiet Power of Appreciation: Why Gratitude Strengthens Teams All Year—Not Just in November

☕ Brewed for Leaders Who Care

Espresso & Empathy — Issue 39

By: Anita Martin & Shannon Foster

Martin & Foster Consulting

November 26, 2025

Let’s Talk: The Kind of Gratitude That Actually Changes Culture

As leaders, we spend a lot of time focusing on performance, accountability, and meeting goals. But there is something equally powerful—and too often overlooked—that has the ability to deepen trust, strengthen relationships, and elevate team culture:

The simple act of making people feel valued.

With Thanksgiving week upon us, many leaders pause to say “thank you.”

But appreciation isn’t a seasonal event.

It’s a leadership habit.

When done well, gratitude fuels engagement, increases psychological safety, and reminds people that their work—and their presence—matters.

And right now, as we move through a time of the year that brings joy and stress, appreciation can be the emotional anchor people need most.

Gratitude Is More Than Courtesy—It’s Connection

Appreciation isn’t just a nice sentiment. It’s a human need.

When people feel valued, something important shifts:

• They trust more

• They communicate more openly

• They take risks, share ideas, and contribute more fully

• They feel a sense of belonging, not just employment

This is why gratitude matters during the holiday season.

For some people, the holidays are heavy.

For others, they’re a reminder of loss, pressure, financial strain, or loneliness.

A genuine acknowledgment of someone’s contribution might be the most meaningful moment in their week.

What Appreciation Looks Like in Action

Gratitude is most powerful when it is:

Specific.

Tell someone exactly what they did well and why it mattered.

Timely.

Recognition loses impact when it waits for annual reviews.

Personal.

People connect to authenticity, not phrases pulled from a script.

Consistent.

When appreciation is a habit, trust becomes the norm.

This Thanksgiving season is a natural moment to pause and thank the people who show up—especially those who quietly hold teams together without spotlight or recognition.

But the most effective leaders don’t save gratitude for November.

They weave it into the culture all year long.

Leadership Self-Audit: Do I Lead with Appreciation?

Ask yourself:

• Do I express appreciation regularly, not just during holidays or high-visibility wins?

• Do I take time to notice the effort behind the work—not just the final result?

• Do my team members know what they do well, or only what they need to fix?

• Do I recognize contributions in a way that feels personal and meaningful?

• Does my leadership create an environment where people feel genuinely valued?

Final Thoughts

Gratitude is one of the simplest leadership behaviors—and one of the most overlooked.

During this Thanksgiving season, take the time to tell people why they matter.

Not because it’s November, but because appreciation is one of the strongest forms of empathy you can offer.

The more consistently leaders recognize the good, the more teams rise to it.

And when gratitude becomes part of your leadership identity, the impact reaches far beyond the workplace.

Because people don’t stay for perks—they stay where they feel valued.

Wishing you a season of gratitude, reflection, and connection.