Each of us has many things to be grateful for in our imperfect personal and professional lives. Although it may be easier to look at what is not working, it is more empowering for leaders to identify what we are thankful for. As Thanksgiving approaches for many of us, let’s explore ways to show our gratitude.

Here are ten ways to demonstrate all we are grateful for:

1. Send a note of gratitude

An easy action to take to show how much you appreciate a team member is to shoot them a written note, email or text. Don’t forget to include specifics about their valuable contribution and maybe how it even turned the project around.

2. Pick up the phone

Although some of us are phone-phobic, others may find it rewarding to tell a colleague what a great job they are doing. Remember in the phone conversation to ask how things are going outside of work. When two people are able to share a piece of their personal lives, they are more likely to cultivate a more meaningful work relationship.

3. Call a team meeting to honor each other

Though the years working with many teams, there is nothing more energizing than to gather everyone together and tell one another what they bring to the team. Each person loves to hear how much they are appreciated and when we say words of gratitude, we are elevated too.

4. Offer to help out

A deadline can stress out the best of us, so reaching out and actually asking: “How can I help?” can be so powerful. Look around and see who you would like to support today.

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5. Tell someone how they impacted your life

It’s fascinating to know how we made a difference in a team member’s life and therefore we need to tell people who changed our lives as well. We can show gratitude by thanking another for encouraging us to try a new path and helping us grow.

6. Share your gift

Each leader has their own strengths and talents, which when shared can be magical. Maybe you are a gifted writer; offer to edit another’s document. Maybe there is someone finalizing a project you know a great deal about; offer to review it with them. Maybe you are an incredible listener; offer to have a sit-sown to hear them out.

7. Break some bread

There is no more traditional way to show someone you are thankful than to take them for coffee or lunch. Not only is sharing a meal a sign of how much we value someone, but it is also a way to develop stronger bonds.

8. Open some doors

For many of us who are not strong networkers or have difficulty promoting ourselves, a way to demonstrate gratitude would be to introduce them to an interesting expert in their field. Making connections is a great way to show a colleague how much you think of them and their abilities.

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9. Apologize

By telling a teammate that you are sorry, we are displaying how much we appreciate them in our work worlds. It may be tough to admit a mistake or that we might have inadvertently hurt them, but it goes a far way.

10. Forgive

This may be the toughest action of all- forgiving someone for perhaps acting in a certain way or even excluding us. When leaders forgive they are able to move beyond the hurt and explore new possibilities.

How do you lead with gratitude?