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Have you ever felt that no matter how hard you or your team work, it just doesn’t feel like enough? High-performing teams often push relentlessly toward improvement, but sometimes that drive can make it all too easy to overlook progress and successes.

But what if the secret to a truly motivated, resilient team lies not in pushing harder, but in a simple shift toward gratitude?

A few years back, I was part of a creative team that could easily spot what wasn’t working and fixate on it. Our debriefs would zero in on every small error or missed detail, leaving us feeling like we’d barely scratched the surface of our goals.

Then, a small suggestion changed the tone of our meetings: what if, before diving into what needed improvement, we celebrated what went well?

Suddenly, each team session started with recognition of successes, from tiny wins to major milestones. What happened next was striking—team morale lifted, and with it, our drive and commitment.

Imagine being part of a team where everyone feels seen and appreciated, where even the small contributions don’t go unnoticed. When appreciation becomes embedded in a team’s culture, people feel valued, morale rises, and—most importantly—performance improves.

Studies even back this up: gratitude can boost productivity, reduce turnover, and improve job satisfaction. So, as leaders, how can we cultivate this atmosphere of gratitude to drive both individual and team success?

This week, consider taking just five minutes in your next team meeting to start with a moment of appreciation. Recognize one positive outcome or express gratitude for your team’s hard work. Over time, these small gestures build a culture where everyone feels valued, and the results speak for themselves.

I hope this message finds you well. I’m sharing from my heart in hopes that you will be inspired to unearth and live out your God-given purpose. Hopefully, something I said resonated. I would love to hear from you if so. Please feel free to reach out to me on social media. FYI: I’m mostly active on Instagram these days. If you were forwarded this message, you can subscribe here to receive thoughts like this directly in your inbox. And don’t forget to check out the latest episode of my podcast, ConvoRoom with Mark Allen Patterson.

See you next week,