Think about a time when someone sincerely thanked you for something you did.

Maybe a supervisor recognized the extra effort you put into a project.

A colleague appreciated the support you offered during a challenging week.

Or a friend thanked you for being there when they needed someone to listen.

How did it make you feel?

Seen? Valued? Encouraged?

Most of us can remember a moment when someone’s appreciation made a difference. It may have taken only a few seconds for them to express it, but the impact stayed with us much longer.

And that brings us to a question:

How often do we offer that same gift to the people around us?

As leaders, we may be grateful for our teams, colleagues, friends, and family members. But unless we take the time to express that gratitude, they may never know how much their contributions matter.

Appreciation Begins with Paying Attention

Last week, we explored how gratitude begins with what we notice.

This week, we take the next step: making that grati...