The Modern Leader series: The art of meaningful appreciation

Modern leadership attribute No.10: The art of meaningful appreciation: Moving beyond ‘thank you’

Picture this: A leader stands up at a town hall meeting and says, “I want to thank everyone for their hard work this quarter.” While well-intentioned, this generic expression of gratitude often falls flat. Why? Because meaningful appreciation isn’t about broad statements — it’s about specific recognition that makes people feel truly seen and valued.

Three keys to meaningful appreciation

1. Be specific and timely
Don’t simply thank someone for “doing a great job.” Instead, recognize the specific action and its impact: “Brian, your thoughtful questions during yesterday’s client meeting helped us uncover a crucial insight that shaped our entire strategy. That kind of critical thinking is exactly what helps us win in the marketplace.”

2. Match the recognition to the person
Some team members thrive on public recognition, while others prefer a quiet word of thanks. Take time to understand how each person likes to receive appreciation. This personalization shows you care enough to acknowledge them in ways that resonate.

3. Connect to purpose
Help people see how their contributions matter in the bigger picture. Instead of “Thanks for staying late to finish the report,” try “Your dedication to getting this analysis right means our leadership team can make a more informed decision about expanding into new markets — a move that could create opportunities for our entire team.”

Making it a daily practice

The most effective leaders weave appreciation into their daily routines. Here are three ways to start:

1. Begin each day with intention: Take two minutes each morning to identify one person whose contributions you want to recognize that day.
2. Create appreciation triggers: After every meeting, ask yourself: “Who contributed something valuable that I should acknowledge?”
3. End each day with reflection: Before leaving work, send one specific note of thanks to someone who made a difference.

Common pitfalls to avoid

1. The empty thank you: Saying thanks without being specific about what you’re appreciating.
2. The delayed recognition: Waiting too long to acknowledge good work.
3. The unbalanced approach: Only showing appreciation to top performers or during major achievements.

The gratitude multiplier effect

When leaders consistently show authentic appreciation, it creates what I call the “Gratitude Multiplier Effect.”

1. Recognition → Clarity: People better understand what success looks like.
2. Clarity → Confidence: Teams become more willing to take smart risks.
3. Confidence → Innovation: New ideas emerge more frequently.
4. Innovation → Results: Business performance improves.
5. Results → More Recognition: The cycle continues and strengthens.

Questions for reflection

1. When was the last time you received meaningful appreciation? What made it memorable?
2. Think about your team: Do you know how each person prefers to receive recognition?
3. What daily practices could you implement to make gratitude more consistent in your leadership?

Remember, meaningful appreciation isn’t about grand gestures — it’s about consistent, authentic recognition that helps people feel valued and understood. When done well, it’s one of the most powerful tools we have as leaders to build engaged, high-performing teams. And it doesn’t cost a thing.

Want more actionable insights like this? Sign up now to be the first to know when David Grossman’s latest book, The Heart Work of Modern Leadership, launches.

About The Modern Leader series

Discover actionable insights released biweekly, designed to help you elevate your own leadership impact and drive the business results you seek.

So, how do you know if you’re a modern leader?

Modern leaders stand apart through their ability to balance head and heart in today’s complex workplace, integrating emotional intelligence with strategic thinking.

New research with The Harris Poll (publishing Summer 2025) shows only 30% of leaders truly meet their teams’ evolving needs — but that elite group leads with “their heart IN their head” and consistently demonstrates six key differentiators.

They:

• Lead with gratitude
• Listen and empathizes
• Foster an inclusive culture
• Communicate with context
• Connect strategy to employee growth
• Enable employees to meet the moment

To see additional ways you can differentiate yourself as a modern leader, check out the collection of modern leadership attributes (added bi-weekly) here.