Why gratitude is your best leadership strategy

I didn’t set out to start a gratitude ritual with my colleagues at Jotform. A few years ago, as the holiday season approached, I was overwhelmed by the number of tasks left to complete. The stress was so distracting that it made it hard to focus. To break the cycle of rumination, I grabbed a pen and wrote a quick note to one of our directors. She had been balancing family commitments and work projects yet still managed to bring her enthusiasm to a recent team effort. I wanted her to know how much I appreciated her energy—it had buoyed the entire team.

When she read the note, she seemed genuinely pleased and even offered to help her colleagues with their final preholiday tasks. But something unexpected happened: writing that note of appreciation made me feel grateful for our team as a whole. My mood improved, my stress levels dropped, and I felt more motivated to emulate my director’s helpfulness. From that moment on, our virtual gratitude board became a preholiday tradition. Colleagues voluntarily share things they appreciate about one another, keeping our momentum strong and the atmosphere positive, even during the year’s most hectic time.

Research increasingly highlights the benefits of gratitude in the workplace, showing how it can strengthen relationships, boost morale, and improve overall team performance. So, how can leaders bring more gratitude into their organizations?

The many perks of feeling grateful

Altruism has a two-way effect, both on the recipient of altruistic behavior and on the giver—acts of kindness cause the release of oxytocin, known as the “love hormone,” which plays a role in forming social bonds and trust. Gratitude has a similar multiplier effect—on the giver, recipient, and even those who witness gratefulness. 

Receiving gratitude doesn’t just make you feel good—it increases your willingness to help others in the future. That’s what researchers found in a study involving students. Participants edited students’ cover letters and received either a neutral message or a note of gratitude afterward. Those who were thanked were twice as likely to help the next time they were asked. 

Expressing gratitude has been shown to strengthen relationships and causes a mere observer to feel more warmth and affinity (towards the giver and receiver). The saying “a rising tide lifts all boats” is fitting here. Acts of gratitude improve workplace culture, reducing mistreatment between colleagues. 

If you’re not convinced to show some thanks, consider that gratitude has proven health benefits, like lower blood pressure and higher levels of heart rate variability, a sign of physical well-being. A recent study even found that people who experience more gratitude have a lower risk of dying—reason enough to cultivate a gratitude practice. 

How to express gratitude in the workplace

Saying thanks is a small act that has an outsized impact. It’s as simple as popping by a colleague’s desk or sending a DM. That said, leaders can take proactive steps to cultivate a culture of gratitude. 

Every November, as days get shorter and the holidays near, we launch our virtual gratitude board, where everyone, from leaders to interns, can share words of appreciation. We’ve found this to be a real morale booster. A physical recognition board can be effective, but for remote or geographically dispersed teams, brands like Kudos and Bonusly offer easy ways to create virtual gratitude boards. 

Leaders can show employees they appreciate their strenuous efforts throughout the year by organizing team celebrations. For example, the online car marketplace CarGurus hosts annual holiday parties with unique surprises, like a private performance by Snoop Dogg at the House of Blues—an unforgettable way to say thanks. Even if you’re not hosting parties with world-renowned rappers, you can show gratitude by organizing a party at the office or a fun, team-bonding activity.  At Jotform, we say “thanks” and take advantage of our northern California location by leading employees on Bay Area bike rides, followed by lunch catered by our favorite local restaurants. 

Finally, leaders can “gift” employees more personal time with PTO, no-meeting days, or half days. For example, LinkedIn instituted a RestUp! week, wherein the company gave all employees a paid week off. This initiative not only combats burnout but also shows employees appreciation for their efforts. For its part, Slack offers Focus Fridays, a day without meetings, so employees can dedicate time to deep work or rest. 

Demonstrating your commitment to upholding employees’ work-life balance is a powerful way to show appreciation while improving morale and lifting the entire company’s spirits. By making gratitude a regular practice, leaders can build a more supportive, motivated workplace where everyone feels valued—a gift that benefits the entire organization year-round.