This Thanksgiving as you carve into the turkey, spoon up some steaming warm gravy, and heap on all the fixings, I’m sure you’ll take a moment to have each person present share what they’re most grateful for this year. But gratitude shouldn’t be isolated to holidays. It should be part of our daily time of prayer and reflection.

Gratitude should be an essential component to how we lead. Grateful leaders are better motivators and evaluators. They command a higher degree of respect from their staff and get the most from their volunteers. Gratitude can make you a better leader.

The reverse of gratitude is resentment. As leaders, we know this all too well. Leaders generally have a higher capacity for justice, the ability to know the divide between right and wrong, and the tendency to see the world in black and white. This means that leaders create high standards for themselves and others. But when people fall short of lofty expectations, resentment can fill the vacuum.

The Gift of Gratitude
Before we look at how gratitude makes you a better leader, let’s look at what gratitude is. Gratitude is simply recognizing you have received a gift and acknowledging who gave it to you. That means it’s directly connected to a gift, or grace. When you say “thank you” you’re acknowledging that you didn’t do anything on your own in receiving that gift.

Gratitude is the foundation of a vital and dynamic life of worship.

Just like grace, gratitude is not a one-time action but a lifetime journey. It’s about continually looking for those moments when someone else helps you achieve your goals, and giving them due credit. It’s about admitting that you aren’t doing it all on your own.

Also, gratitude is a way of worship, not just a few words we say in passing. Look at how Paul frames his command to be grateful:

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (2 Thessalonians 5:6-8).

Along with giving thanks, Paul adds rejoicing or worship, as well as prayer. Thanksgiving is an essential part of any moment of prayer and worship. How much of your own private quiet time includes gratitude? How much of your corporate worship experience is taken up in giving thanks? Gratitude is the foundation of a vital and dynamic life of worship.

Attitudes Attract
Recently I had a conversation with a youth pastor from another church in town. He’s been in his position for about nine months now. The youth pastor told me he actually took a pay cut to join this new church. I asked him why he would do that, especially with young children and a new mortgage. The pastor explained that he found something at this new church that he never had at his old church — appreciation.

People feel overworked when they’re underappreciated. But an attitude of gratitude attracts quality followers. They may even be willing to work for a little less for better working conditions. Appreciation sends the message that you’re ready to release their full potential, you’re willing to recognize their unique abilities, and you’re able to resource them in their new position.

Grateful leaders create grateful followers.

Gratitude is contagious. When you express an attitude of gratitude, you’re modeling the right way to lead for your staff. You also develop a team dynamic that supersedes boundaries or job descriptions. Grateful leaders create grateful followers.

How do we go about leading with gratitude? First of all, we need to understand that gratitude is not just a smile and a handshake — it’s an attitude. And because it’s an attitude, you can’t fake it. It’s going to take being thankful in your personal life to display sincere gratitude in your public life. That begins with thanking God every day for the gifts he graces you with. It also means you’re thankful to your family for their incomparable support and love. When we begin with an attitude of gratitude in private, it flows into every other aspect of our career.

Another thing to keep in mind is gratitude does not require grand gestures. This is less about a big dinner on Thanksgiving Day and more about saying “thanks” every day. Gratitude in leadership is all about acknowledgment. Did they do something positive? Did they add to the team this week? Did they display excellence in their execution or make great decisions? Did you tell them? Find little ways to consistently thank those who are helping you on your way.

Gratitude allows you to see what you already have, not what you still lack. It focuses your attention on the potential of your team members instead of their shortcomings. In that way, sincere gratitude empowers those you lead. When you constantly look for the best in others, assume the best about their motives, and acknowledge the best of their efforts, you will get the best from them.