Human Resources
Gratitude at Work: The Smallest Gestures That Make the Biggest Impact
The Thanksgiving season gives us a natural moment to pause, reflect, and appreciate those around us. It’s a time to express gratitude for the people who make our work possible, for the collaboration that fuels success, and for the relationships that make work meaningful.
But gratitude shouldn’t only show up once a year. Recognition and appreciation are powerful drivers of engagement, morale, and belonging and they deserve a place in our daily routines.
At Exude Human Capital, we believe gratitude fuels connection, and connection drives performance and culture. Our work is rooted in helping organizations intentionally build these connections whether through leadership coaching, culture and engagement assessments, or training that equips managers to lead with empathy and appreciation. When people feel seen and appreciated, they show up with more energy, creativity, and care for clients, colleagues, and the organization as a whole.
According to Glassdoor, 53% of employees would stay at their job longer if they felt appreciated. Appreciation creates happier employees, and happier employees are more productive and loyal. A simple “thank you” when it’s specific and sincere can have a ripple effect that strengthens teams and cultures alike.
Ways to Show Gratitude in the Workplace
You don’t need a formal program or grand gesture to make an impact. Here are some simple ways to bring gratitude to life every day:
- Start small and be specific.
Go beyond “good job.” Say things like, “Thank you for being an extra set of eyes on that report,” or “I appreciate you jumping in during that meeting.” Don’t assume people know you value them, say it out loud. - Give public recognition.
A team shoutout or quick mention in a meeting goes a long way. Peer appreciation is just as powerful as manager recognition. - Reach out personally.
Send a short thank-you note or email. It takes only a few minutes and can completely turn someone’s day around. - Notice the little things.
Hold the elevator. Compliment someone’s presentation. Acknowledge when someone goes above and beyond. Small gestures add up. - For managers — make space for appreciation in 1:1s.
It’s easy to focus on what needs improvement, but be intentional about highlighting what’s going well too. Balance constructive feedback with positive reinforcement. - Mix public and private gratitude.
Not everyone loves the spotlight. A quiet “thank you” can be just as meaningful as a public shoutout. - Make it personal.
If someone loves Dunkin’ coffee, grab them a $5 gift card. If they’re a chocolate fan, surprise them with a treat. If you know they don’t like coffee though, skip the Starbucks gift card. Make it authentic. Appreciation doesn’t have to be expensive, just thoughtful and genuine.
Embedding Gratitude in Your Culture
Saying “thank you” is one thing; building a culture of appreciation is another.
Here are a few ways to make gratitude part of your organization’s DNA:
- Create a gratitude wall or Teams channel for peer shoutouts.
- Add an agenda item for shoutouts in All-Hands meetings.
- Encourage leaders to model appreciation openly and often.
- Recognize that authentic gratitude builds trust, connection, and belonging across all levels of the organization.
When gratitude becomes part of how you work and not just something you do as an afterthought, it strengthens culture from the inside out. At Exude, we partner with organizations to assess, strengthen, and sustain cultures of belonging where gratitude and recognition aren’t just seasonal, but systemic.
A Final Word of Thanks
As we move through this season of gratitude, we want to take a moment to thank our clients, partners, and the talented people who make our work meaningful every day.
Thank you for the trust, collaboration, and heart you bring to everything you do.
Together, we’re creating more connected, inclusive workplaces, one “thank you” at a time.
Connect with us. Let us help you build a culture of gratitude and belongingness.
