How to Keep the Spirit of Thanksgiving Alive at Work Every Day

Cathie Leimbach • November 25, 2020

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Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and express gratitude. For many Americans, Thanksgiving is the biggest holiday of the year. Families and friends celebrate together, sharing great conversation and wonderful food. While the celebration may look different this year, I suspect it might be one of the busiest days for Zoom as families gather virtually. 


Even the greeting card industry gets into the act giving us a way to let people know we appreciate them. We reach out to friends and family to express our love, say how thankful we are to have them in our life, and show our support when they are facing challenges.


However, the spirit of thanksgiving is sorely lacking in the workplace. The numbers show a clear picture.  Only 17% of people say they feel valued at work. 85% of people say that feeling appreciated and valued at work is the biggest contributor to them liking their job. When people are thanked at work, their productivity increases 50%. Yet, 65% of people say they haven’t felt appreciated at work even once in the past year.


Organizations are failing to optimize their bottom line because managers are not expressing thanks to their staff. How can you keep the spirit of appreciation and acknowledgement alive in your organization?


1.      Catch people doing something right, and tell them how much you value their regular attendance, quality work, problem solving, or great new ideas.


2.      When an employee drops by your office with a question about the work you asked them to focus on this week, stop scanning your email. Lift your hands off the keyboard, make eye contact with your employee, and give them a thoughtful answer so they can complete the task effectively.


3.      Schedule frequent one-on-one coffee breaks or office drop-ins with each staff member. Ask how their daughter is enjoying her music lessons. Praise them for a recent personal or workplace accomplishment. Ask how you can help them be more effective this week. Individuals who have one-on-one time with their supervisor at least once per week are more engaged and productive.


Thanksgiving is the start of the holiday season. Say thanks. Ensure your employees feel joy throughout the month of December. Create raving fan employees who know that you see them as a valued member of the team.


Want help in creating your own culture of gratitude? Take advantage of a free consultation so that we can brain storm how to turn your employees into raving fans.

Leadership Development: The Hidden Superpower for Your Business

By Cathie Leimbach • April 29, 2025
Ever wonder why some companies consistently outperform their competitors? According to Ram Charan's "Leaders at All Levels," the secret often lies in their approach to leadership development. Think about it: when organizations invest in developing leaders at every level, they're not just checking a box for HR—they're directly fueling their economic engine. Charan says that leadership talent is actually the biggest constraint on business growth worldwide. Too many companies treat leadership development as a nice-to-have program rather than a strategic necessity. But those who get it right create a continuous chain reaction of leadership excellence throughout their organization, resulting in measurable business advantages. The most successful companies don't just develop executives at the top. They identify potential leaders early, move them through increasingly challenging assignments, and ensure they gain the necessary skills to drive performance at every level. In today's competitive landscape, your leadership pipeline isn't just about succession planning—it's about creating the sustainable competitive advantage that drives superior business results and economic performance right now.

The Power of Reflective Listening at Work

By Cathie Leimbach • April 22, 2025
Have you ever felt like someone wasn't really hearing you? Reflective listening can fix that problem in the workplace. Reflective listening means truly understanding what someone is saying before you respond. When a coworker is speaking, focus completely on their words instead of planning what you'll say next. Many of us start forming responses while others are still talking, which means we miss important parts of their message. True listening requires patience and practice. To become a reflective listener, start by giving your full attention. Put away your phone, turn away from your computer, and make eye contact. Then, after the person finishes speaking, briefly summarize what you heard. You might say, "So what I'm hearing is..." This shows you were truly listening and gives them a chance to clarify if needed. The benefits of reflective listening are huge. It reduces misunderstandings, builds trust between coworkers, and helps solve problems more effectively. People feel valued when they're truly heard, which creates a more positive workplace. With practice, reflective listening becomes a habit that improves all your work relationships. Remember: listen first, respond second. Your workplace will be better for it.
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