At this time of year in the United States we gather with our families and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. We take stock in all that we are grateful for- both the big and the small wins. The reality is that most of us have also faced challenges during the year and have needed to rely on our support systems to help us get through. Our lives are imperfect and that means we can choose to dwell on the disappointments or focus on what we are grateful for.

Let’s choose to lead with gratitude in both our personal and professional lives. When we are grateful we bring out the best in ourselves and in others.

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Here are some ways to become a grateful leader:

ASK YOURSELF- WHAT AM I GRATEFUL FOR THIS PAST YEAR?

Begin a gratitude search by zeroing in on accomplishments, successes, wins and people connections that you are thankful for during this past year. Look at both your professional and personal life and honor all that you have achieved.

• Did you take some steps to move closer to your promotion?
• Did you learn a new skill that scared you at first?
• Did you undo a hot mess to help your team propel forward?
• Did you make a difference in a co-worker’s life?

IDENTIFY YOUR COURAGIOUS SUPPORTERS

Next look around you and see who has really been there for you during the tough decisions and choices. Which team member or colleague has made a valuable contribution to a project you shared? Who has provided great counsel to you during a crisis so that you were able to meet your deadline with a great deliverable? Who has helped you network or connect with just the right people?

SHARE YOUR APPRECIATION GENEROUSLY

A grateful leader recognizes support from co-workers by saying thank you and offering to tell others about it. When we lead with gratitude we generously share the specifics of how someone elevated the outcome of a project. Grateful leaders never accept the credit but rather make sure the contributors are recognized and rewarded.

ADD COMPASSION TO YOUR LEADERSHIP TOOLKIT

What does it mean to be a compassionate leader?

• Compassionate leaders listen without jumping to conclusions
• Compassionate leaders build deep connections with team members and colleagues
• Compassionate leaders validate the concerns of others even if they disagree
• Compassionate leaders use thoughtful and respectful communication

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DECIDE TO BE GRATEFUL THIS COMING YEAR

As you create your goals and dreams for the coming year, make sure to add gratitude as a way to lead. Become a cheerleader for the people in your work world who go the extra mile to enable an extraordinary result. Build gratitude into each assignment by recognizing the little wins too. When we give credit to others we are helping them build their unique leadership model. That’s what grateful leaders do. We care. We act. We help bring out the best in everyone we connect with.

On that note I want to thank all the amazing readers who have shared my articles and written such insightful comments. I appreciate each of you!

How have you become a grateful leader?