Practicing gratitude can be a powerful tool for business growth. Leaders who show appreciation create stronger teams, happier employees, and better results. Research shows that when employees feel valued, they work harder, stay longer, and bring more creativity to the table (Harvard Business Review). It’s not just about saying “thank you.” Gratitude in business is also about recognizing people’s efforts, celebrating wins (big or small), and building a culture where appreciation is the norm.
Gratitude doesn’t cost anything, but the returns can be extraordinarily meaningful. Whether you’re running a startup or leading a growing company, making gratitude a daily habit can boost morale, improve retention, and even increase profits.
Keep reading to hear how leaders in the Powderkeg community are tapping into the power of gratitude to building healthier teams.
11 Ways Gratitude Helps Leaders Build Stronger, More Resilient Teams.
1. Gratitude Beats Scarcity—Give First to Grow Faster
I find that times of scarcity in business (your pipeline isn’t as full as you would like or you missed a rev goal the previous quarter) are the times I need to push myself to have a gratitude mindset. If you start from a place of gratitude or helping someone else, then you earn the right to ask for something in return (Give to get)—gratitude over scarcity always wins. Also, helping someone when I am low always lifts me up.
I have a friend who taught me a simple framework for helping others called the three I’s framework that can help guide an ask:
- Introduce: Connect people within your network
- Inform: Share valuable resources—books, podcasts, advice
- Invite: Create opportunities for deeper engagement
Rachel Johnson, Fractional Marketing Executive and Growth Scaler
2. Recognize Small Victories During Uncertainty
Practicing gratitude has been a way for me to refocus during moments of doubt or instability. In business, uncertainty often brings stress, but taking time to recognize small victories and the support of my team shifts my mindset toward opportunity.
During the pandemic, when the valuation industry faced significant disruption, I started each team meeting by sharing something I appreciated about their efforts. It wasn’t just about motivation, it was a way to help everyone see their role in keeping the business moving forward, even when challenges felt overwhelming.
Gratitude also creates clarity. Acknowledging what’s working allows you to prioritize effectively rather than being consumed by what feels out of control.
When equipment appraisals were delayed due to supply chain issues, focusing on the relationships we’d built with our clients reminded me that trust was our strongest asset. That perspective helped us adapt our strategies and communicate with confidence.
Tracie Crites, Chief Marketing Officer, HEAVY Equipment Appraisal
3. Gratitude Clears Your Mind for Better Problem-Solving
Practicing gratitude helps me with problem solving in general. In business, we’re encountering and solving problems all day and that can get exhausting. By practicing gratitude, it really helps remove the emotional attachment to the problem and can help tap into the analytical side of problem solving. Spend less time thinking about why this happened and more time solving the problem. This is even more true when it’s a big problem you’re trying to solve. Help reduce that uncertainty by thinking of all the things you’re grateful for. That can be in work or in personal life. I keep pictures of my family on my desk a simple way to help get my mind in the right state of gratitude when encountering challenging problems.
Casey Bolsega, Sr. Portfolio Manager, Intrepid
4. Write Personalized Notes to Team Members
The Situation:
When the economy hit a rough patch, budgets were slashed, and morale across the company started to dip. As a CEO, I felt the weight of keeping everything on track. It was clear that how I responded would influence not just the outcomes but also how the team felt about navigating this storm together.
The Practice:
I made gratitude a daily habit. Every week, I wrote personalized notes to team members, calling out specific contributions they had made. These weren’t generic thank-yous; they were about the details—ideas shared in meetings, extra effort on a project, or how they supported their teammates. During team meetings, I made a point of starting with one thing I was thankful for, whether it was a client win or the sheer grit of the team during tough times.
The Impact:
- Trust and Morale Grew: People felt recognized in meaningful ways. It wasn’t just lip service—they saw their efforts being noticed, which kept them motivated and engaged.
- Shifted My Focus: Gratitude gave me clarity. Instead of getting stuck in worry about what we couldn’t control, I started seeing solutions and opportunities in what we already had.
- Ripple Effect Across the Team: When I openly practiced gratitude, it became contagious. Team members began acknowledging each other, and that positive energy helped us face challenges with resilience.
Advice for Other Leaders:
Gratitude doesn’t solve problems directly, but it changes the way you approach them. It keeps you grounded, fosters trust, and brings a sense of calm to the chaos. In uncertain times, it’s a simple practice that can transform how your team experiences even the toughest challenges.
Tom Haberman, CEO | Creative Director, Studio4Motion
5. Reset Your Brain—Find the Good in Any Situation
One of the most powerful tools I’ve discovered comes from Positive Intelligence, a book and a set of sensory activities created by Shirzad Chamine. In any moment of difficulty or uncertainty, explore the question, “What’s good about this?” It’s a tool for accessing gratitude and for a neurological reset to get out of fight / flight / fear / freeze that’s wildly effective.
Karen Mangia, President & Chief Strategy Officer, The Engineered Innovation Group
6. Acknowledge Team Efforts During Turbulent Times
As the Founder and CEO of Zapiy.com, practicing gratitude has been a cornerstone for navigating uncertainty in business. When challenges arise—and they inevitably do—gratitude provides a powerful lens through which to reframe obstacles as opportunities for growth and connection.
One way I actively practice gratitude is through regular reflection and acknowledgment of my team’s efforts, especially during turbulent times. For instance, during a particularly uncertain period when we were pivoting to adapt to shifting market demands, I made it a point to call out the small wins in team meetings. Whether it was an innovative idea from a junior member or someone stepping up to take on extra responsibility, I took the time to express genuine appreciation.
This simple act of gratitude had an incredible ripple effect. It not only boosted morale but also fostered a sense of resilience and collaboration within the team. People started to feel seen and valued, which encouraged them to bring their best selves to the table. It’s remarkable how acknowledging what’s working—even in the face of challenges—can shift the energy in a room and inspire solutions.
On a personal level, practicing gratitude helps me stay grounded. When the future feels uncertain, it’s easy to focus on everything that’s out of your control. Gratitude reminds me to center my attention on what we do have—our talented team, loyal customers, and the lessons learned along the way. This mindset not only keeps me motivated but also helps me make clearer, more thoughtful decisions.
Navigating uncertainty is never easy, but gratitude turns it into a shared journey of growth and possibility. It reminds me to celebrate progress, not just outcomes, and to approach each challenge with a sense of purpose and hope. At Zapiy.com, this culture of gratitude has become a key ingredient in how we face uncertainty together.
7. Appreciate People and Resources During Tough Times
Gratitude steadies me when things feel shaky. I’ve learned to focus on what’s working during tough times. When budgets get tight or obstacles pop up, we naturally fixate on what’s going wrong. Taking a moment to appreciate the people and resources still with us can shift our entire perspective.
I remember when several clients scaled back, and everything felt uncertain. But instead of getting stuck on the losses, I made a point to notice our team’s dedication and the clients who stuck beside us. I voiced this appreciation out loud too—letting everyone know what they meant to us. Recognizing these strengths kept my team moving forward and reminded me we had a strong foundation to build from.
Gratitude helps me see things clearly. When I pay attention to what works well, I spot where to put my energy rather than wasting it on things I can’t change. This doesn’t mean ignoring problems—it just gives me and my team a clear path forward.
For me, gratitude isn’t just a feel-good habit. It’s a concrete practice that keeps me grounded and clear-headed when the next step seems foggy. It’s straightforward, but it delivers.
Scott Cohen, CEO, InboxArmy
8. Reflect on What You’re Thankful For
Practicing gratitude has been a game-changer for me during uncertain times in business. When things feel out of my control, I make a conscious effort to reflect on what I’m thankful for – my health, my family, and my colleagues who have become like family. Focusing on gratitude shifts my mindset from scarcity and fear to abundance and hope. It reminds me of the good in my life, which in turn allows me to approach challenges with more resilience, optimism, and solutions-focused thinking. I’ve found that gratitude grounds me in the present moment so I can move forward with purpose, rather than getting derailed by worry. It connects me to a sense of meaning that goes beyond my business metrics and goals. Cultivating gratitude has truly helped me navigate uncertainty with more peace, passion, and perspective.
Gauri Manglik, CEO and Co-Founder, Instrumentl
9. Appreciate Existing Clients and Relationships
Practicing gratitude has been a powerful tool for navigating uncertainty in business by shifting focus from obstacles to opportunities. During the 2008 financial crisis, I faced a significant downturn in client budgets and growing uncertainty about the future of my marketing business. Instead of dwelling on losses, I started focusing on appreciating my existing clients and the relationships I had built. This mindset not only strengthened client loyalty but also encouraged referrals, which ultimately sustained my business through the downturn.
Expressing gratitude also helps build resilience within teams. In moments of uncertainty, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of employees fosters trust and motivation. For example, when my team faced unexpected project delays, I took time to thank them for their adaptability and problem-solving efforts. This boosted morale and led to creative solutions that kept us on track. Gratitude fosters a culture of collaboration and optimism, which is essential for steady growth, even during challenging times.
Brandon Leibowitz, Owner, SEO Optimizers
10. Use Gratitude to Shift Focus to Solutions
Practicing gratitude has been an essential tool for navigating uncertainty in business, especially in an environment where change is constant, and challenges seem ever-present. For me, the key to leveraging gratitude during uncertain times is using it to shift focus from problems to solutions.
When faced with obstacles, instead of dwelling on what’s not going well, I make it a point to reflect on what is working and what we can appreciate—whether it’s a strong team, a loyal customer base, or the fact that we are still innovating despite challenges. This simple practice has been transformative.
During a particularly challenging period in our business, when we were facing a slow market and major shifts in the industry, I encouraged our leadership team to reflect on small wins and share them with each other regularly. For example, instead of focusing solely on the projects that weren’t moving forward as quickly as we wanted, we celebrated the positive feedback we were receiving from customers, and the fact that we had maintained a dedicated, high-performing team throughout a difficult year. This practice of gratitude not only helped us stay positive but also boosted morale and fostered a sense of unity, which in turn strengthened our collective resolve to navigate the uncertain business landscape.
By making gratitude a regular part of our internal culture, we were able to foster a more resilient mindset across the organization. It reminded everyone that even during tough times, there’s always something to be thankful for, which empowered our team to keep pushing forward with creativity and a solution-oriented mindset. Gratitude helped us reframe challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation, allowing us to adapt more quickly and confidently.
Ultimately, I’ve found that by focusing on what we have and celebrating those aspects, it becomes much easier to face uncertainty with optimism and clarity, rather than feeling overwhelmed or defeated.
Georgi Petrov, CMO, AIG MARKETER
11. Express Gratitude to Team for Hard Work
As the founder of a recruiting firm, one way that practicing gratitude has helped me navigate uncertainty in business is by providing a sense of perspective and grounding during challenging times. In the midst of uncertain market conditions or unexpected setbacks, focusing on what I’m grateful for—whether it’s the dedication of my team, the trust of our clients, or the opportunities we’ve had to grow—reminds me of the positive aspects of the business and the progress we’ve made.
For instance, during a particularly tough period when we were facing client budget cuts and a slowdown in hiring activity, I made it a practice to regularly express gratitude to my team for their hard work and resilience. Acknowledging their contributions not only lifted their spirits but also helped maintain morale, which is crucial in times of uncertainty. This focus on gratitude helped shift our mindset from one of scarcity to one of opportunity, and ultimately led us to explore new service offerings and creative solutions that kept our business moving forward.
By practicing gratitude, I was able to stay positive, focus on what we could control, and inspire my team to remain motivated and adaptable. It reinforced the idea that even in challenging times, there are always things to appreciate and be thankful for, which can help you weather uncertainty and stay on course.
Sarah Chen, Founder and Principal, Recruit Engineering
Conclusion
At the end of the day, gratitude isn’t just about being nice—it’s a smart business strategy. Companies that make appreciation a habit see stronger teams, better performance, and happier employees. And the best part? It doesn’t take much. A simple “thank you,” a public shoutout, or a small act of recognition can go a long way.
If you want to build a company where people love to work, start with gratitude. Make it part of your leadership style, bake it into your company culture, and watch how it transforms your business. After all, people don’t just work for paychecks—they work where they feel valued.
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurship