“And I’d like to thank you for giving me the best day of my life.” - Taylor Swift, Best Day
This song was written by Taylor as a tribute to her mother to show gratitude for her upbringing. Last week I got to surprise my 11 year old daughter with the Eras tour in Toronto - a much anticipated event after cancelled shows for us in Vienna. Watching Taylor take time on stage to just listen to the crowd, seeing her tear up, and then hearing her say the words “thank you” underscores so much of this Thanksgiving holiday. More importantly, it underscores a #StrategyIRL way of seeing the world, our opportunities, and our challenges.
Gratitude isn’t a single act; it’s a way of existing. It’s woven into the way we approach life, the way we lead, and the way we interact with others. While Thanksgiving serves as a reminder to express our thanks, true gratitude transcends one holiday—it becomes a part of who we are.
Gratitude as a Practice, Not a Performance
Gratitude is a practice of mindfulness, interconnectedness, and appreciation.
Saying “thank you” is easy. It’s polite; it’s expected; but it can be shallow if not backed by sincerity. True gratitude is a practice—a conscious effort to recognize the value in others and acknowledge the role they play in our lives. It’s about connection, humility, and acknowledgment, not just words.
In leadership, gratitude is especially powerful. Leaders who embody gratitude create an atmosphere where people feel seen and valued. It requires a culture in which “we are too busy dancing to get knocked off our feet” (thanks New Romantics lyrics) - where momentum and growth prevail and setbacks are seen as learning opportunities.
Ways you can practice gratitude:
Recognize the interconnectedness of all team members and the support we receive from across functions and levels
Reflect on the present moment and the factors that make it possible
Practice honoring the people who paved the way for us
Give thanks for support, resources, and kindness from people and the broader ecosystem
The Role of Gratitude with Candor
At first glance, candor and gratitude might seem like opposing forces. Candor requires honesty, sometimes hard to deliver or take, while gratitude emphasizes appreciation and acknowledgment. However, these two qualities are not at odds—they are complementary. Together, they form the foundation of effective communication, especially in leadership.
“We’re happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way,” as Taylor sings in 22, shows that we can be honest about how things are realistically going and still take joy in the journey. Gratitude isn’t about being nice for the sake of niceness; it’s about valuing others enough to help them grow. It’s about finding the balance between encouragement and accountability, demonstrating that you care about the person, not just the result.
Here are a few ways gratitude shows up in leadership roles:
The Grateful Leader: A CEO starts each weekly meeting by sharing one specific way a team member went above and beyond - “We all contributed to this quarter's results, but this employee specifically ensured that we not only hit our targets, but did so with greater adoption of our tools resulting in increased client satisfaction.” This simple act not only boosts morale but creates a culture of recognition that inspires others to do their best.
The Honest Mentor: A mentor shares critical feedback with gratitude - “Your determination and creativity are impressive, and I see so much potential in you. To help you reach the next level, let’s refine how you approach time management.” This feedback conveys appreciation while guiding growth.
Personal Reflection: Reflecting on challenging times with gratitude, such as acknowledging the lessons learned during a tough job transition, fosters resilience - “That experience taught me patience and the importance of adaptability—lessons I’m deeply grateful for today.”
Gratitude as an Art in Leadership
Leaders, too, are an art form. The way you come across—the tone you set, the energy you bring—determines whether people are inspired to follow you or hesitant to engage.
Gratitude plays a critical role here. It’s more art than science; it’s about being authentic in your acknowledgment of others and tailoring your approach to fit the moment. People can smell desperation and insincerity a mile away.
Gratitude doesn’t mean always being agreeable. It doesn’t mean avoiding conflict or hard decisions. Instead, it’s about creating a space where people feel safe to take risks, share ideas, and trust the process. As Taylor sings in Long Live - “Long live all the mountains we moved, I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you” - gratitude is what transforms a team into a community and work into a shared purpose.
Speaking the Unspoken: Gratitude in Action
And finally, giving voice to the truths everyone feels but often stays silent about, out of fear of being misunderstood or seen as ungrateful.
A true leader understands that waiting too long to compensate fairly risks more than dissatisfaction—it erodes trust, undervalues contributions, and silences the unspoken truths that gratitude alone cannot repair. Leadership means acting with integrity, ensuring that appreciation is matched with meaningful action before it’s too late.
Gratitude also begins with acknowledging your own value and contributions. It’s not about entitlement; it’s about honoring the worth of your time, skills, and energy. When you are grateful for your own abilities, you set boundaries and expect fair reciprocity—not as a demand, but as a natural extension of mutual respect and balance. Humility and self-acknowledgement are also key to start - “it’s me, hi. I’m the problem, it’s me.” Drawing from my experience across both corporate and startup environments, I’ve learned that practicing gratitude effectively requires intentionality and focus.
These key principles stand out as essential:
Recognize the Need for Fairness Early: Address fairness proactively to prevent dissatisfaction and build trust from the start
Value the Balance of Giving and Receiving: Foster relationships grounded in mutual respect by ensuring contributions are both acknowledged and reciprocated
Acknowledge Self-Worth: Gratitude begins within—recognizing and honoring your own value empowers you to set healthy boundaries
Turn Appreciation into Action: Go beyond words; transform gratitude into tangible actions that reinforce its sincerity and impact
These practices aren’t just ideals; they are foundational for cultivating genuine, lasting connections in any professional environment.
Thanksgiving and the Power of Reflection
Taylor’s music reminds us to acknowledge both challenges and triumphs as part of our growth. Her consistent gratitude for her fans, expressed through heartfelt words and gestures, inspires us to nurture meaningful connections and say “thank you” for those who shaped our journey. Much like the overwhelming gratitude I feel for being able to make some magical Eras with my daughter, the feeling is more about reflection on our journey - the challenges that led me to having the successful flexibility to do trips like this through the way in which in which I hope I’m instilling a sense of kindness and adventure in a future generation.
As we gather this Thanksgiving, let’s move beyond the simple exchange of “thank you” and embrace gratitude as a mindset.
Gratitude isn’t just for the good times; it’s also for the lessons we learn in struggle.
Gratitude is a way of living, a way of leading, a way of being, and the foundation for how we show up in our companies and the world.
Gratitude, when fully realized, becomes a force that redefines growth, strengthens teams, and elevates results. It transcends fleeting quarterly reports, standing as a principle to shape an organization's culture of leadership at the highest level.
Let gratitude shape the way you lead and live—starting today and for eras to come.
NBG Strategy Consulting specializes in guiding teams across industries including start ups, technical services, and hard tech, equipping them to overcome complex challenges and seize emerging opportunities. Whether you’re charting a course for groundbreaking missions or exploring uncharted territories, our tailored approaches and workshops foster innovation and strategic thinking to help your team lead the way in futuristic endeavors from data center AI through space exploration. Let us help you unlock new possibilities and drive your vision into reality.
Comments