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

Cathie Leimbach • November 25, 2020

This is a subtitle for your new post

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.

Take a Moment for Joy

By Cathie Leimbach • December 23, 2025
As the year comes to a close, it’s worth pausing to ask a simple question: What brought you joy this year at work and in life? Joy doesn’t always arrive in big, headline moments. Often, it shows up quietly—in meaningful conversations, shared laughter, progress made, lessons learned, or the steady presence of people who support us. Sometimes joy is found in growth, sometimes in rest, and sometimes in simply getting through a challenging season with resilience and grace. Take a few minutes to reflect. What moments made you smile? When did you feel most connected? For what are you grateful? This reflection isn’t about ignoring the hard parts of the year. It’s about honoring the bright spots that sustained you through them. Recognizing joy helps us close the year with perspective and open the next one with hope. As the holidays approach, give yourself permission to slow down, savor meaningful moments, and share joy with others—through kindness, gratitude, and presence.  May this season be filled with moments that lift your spirit, and may you carry that joy with you into the year ahead. 👉 Take a moment to pause this season—view the Reflecting on Joy one-pager and reflect on what brought meaning to your work and life this year. Wishing you a truly joy-filled Christmas season .

Wrapping Up Your Year – Celebrate Your Wins

By Cathie Leimbach • December 16, 2025
As you’re wrapping presents this season, it’s also a great time to wrap up your year with intention. The end of the year offers a natural pause—a chance to reflect, appreciate, and celebrate the people who made a difference along the way. At work, we often move from one deadline to the next without stopping to say thank you. Take a moment to recognize your teammates. Maybe it’s the coworker who always had your back, or the leader who helped you stretch and grow. A sincere “thank you” or a short handwritten note can go a long way. It doesn’t need to be elaborate—just genuine. The same holds true in your personal life. When was the last time you told a friend or family member how much they mean to you? Between holiday plans and to-do lists, it’s easy to forget that our presence often matters more than any present. Every year brings both highs and lows. As this one comes to a close, choose to focus on what went right. Celebrate the small wins and acknowledge the people who supported you through the challenging moments. So, while you’re taping up gift boxes, take a little time to wrap up your year with gratitude. Send the text. Write the card. Let people know they’re valued. After all, the most meaningful gift you can give is helping someone feel truly appreciated. Want more simple, meaningful ways to express appreciation—without overspending?  👉 View Sharing Joy at Work Without Breaking the Bank for practical ideas you can use right away.