Thanks Giving at Work

Cathie Leimbach • November 20, 2023

Expressing gratitude and thankfulness in the workplace is essential. It not only creates a positive and supportive environment but also has a large impact on employee morale, overall productivity, and the success of an organization.


By cultivating a culture of appreciation, peers and supervisors can value and acknowledge each other’s contributions, fostering comradery and teamwork. This leads to improved communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities.


Furthermore, expressing gratitude motivates and inspires employees to perform at their best. When they feel valued for their hard work, it boosts their self-esteem and job satisfaction. As a result, they become more engaged and productive, benefiting all aspects of each individual’s life and the entire company.


Thankfulness also plays a pivotal role in building strong relationships between team members. Regularly expressing gratitude promotes trust and respect among coworkers. This harmonious work environment allows individuals to feel comfortable sharing ideas, seeking help when needed, and receiving constructive feedback.


Lastly, thankfulness goes beyond mere words: actions speak louder when showing appreciation in the workplace. Small gestures such as little gifts or rewards, growth opportunities for employees’ careers, or flexible work arrangements can genuinely show care for their well-being.


In conclusion, prioritizing thankfulness in the workplace holds incredible value. It fosters a positive work culture while building strong relationships among employees. By making gratitude a priority, organizations create an environment where individuals thrive both personally and professionally.



May you experience the joy of Thanksgiving this week and beyond!

Age and Gender Shape How Employees Want to Be Appreciated

By Cathie Leimbach • June 10, 2025
In today’s evolving workplace, one constant remains: employees want to feel valued. Interestingly, research comparing data from before and after COVID-19 shows that employees' preferred languages of appreciation have remained remarkably consistent over time. However, age and gender differences reveal important nuances leaders shouldn’t ignore. Gender differences are clear. Men more frequently chose Acts of Service as their preferred form of appreciation (26%), while women gravitated toward Words of Affirmation (46%). When asked about their least preferred language, women were more likely to rank Acts of Service at the bottom, while men showed a strong dislike for Tangible Gifts. Age also matters. Employees over 60 overwhelmingly preferred Words of Affirmation (48%), while the youngest generation (under 20) leaned toward Quality Time (33%). These trends suggest that life stage and workplace experience shape what appreciation feels most meaningful.  The takeaway? While core preferences haven't shifted dramatically post-COVID, effective leaders need to understand and respond to individual differences. Avoid blanket strategies and invest in knowing how each team member feels most valued. Personalized appreciation builds stronger teams—across every generation and gender. For further details, see Dr. Paul White’s article on gender differences in appreciation preference.

Why Better Leaders Mean Better Bottom Lines

By Cathie Leimbach • June 3, 2025
Let’s talk straight—leadership development isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s the engine behind real economic progress. John Kotter, a world-renowned voice in leadership and change, made it clear: organizations don’t rise or fall on products alone—they succeed because of how well they lead through change. When leaders know how to cast vision, inspire action, and adapt quickly, the ripple effect is huge. Teams become more engaged. Strategy gets implemented faster. Resistance turns into momentum. And yes—revenue and results improve.  Kotter’s work shows that companies with strong leadership navigate uncertainty better and capture more market share during tough times. Why? Because effective leaders create clarity in the chaos. They don’t just manage—they lead change with purpose. If we want to strengthen our teams, our organizations, and even our communities, we have to prioritize leadership development. Not later—now. Because when leadership improves, so does everything else. That’s not just theory. That’s proven strategy. Click here to view the document: Better Leader = Better Bottom Lines and see why investing in leadership pays off. Let’s build leaders who build better futures.
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