Being Thankful for Workplace Colleagues

Cathie Leimbach • November 22, 2022

Employees everywhere want to be valued, respected, and appreciated. They want to be thanked for the contributions they are making at their workplace and be supported to become even more effective at their job! 69% of employees say that the recognition they receive impacts how likely they are to stay with the company. 

Being thankful at work really matters! Human beings are emotional beings. We are more content and motivated to achieve when we feel appreciated for who we are and what we offer. When an employee’s manager treats them well, employees feel supported by the organization. This encourages them to engage more fully, enhancing the organization’s success.

Too often, supervisors believe that an employee’s paycheck is reward enough.  They don’t express thanks at work unless an employee is meeting or exceeding expectations in all aspects of their job.

However, when employees don’t get feedback, they don’t know if they are meeting expectations. If they don’t know what they are doing well, they may not continue to do their best in these areas. When they don’t realize they are underperforming, they don’t realize they need to improve.  Not knowing where they stand leads to insecurity and declining motivation. 

Many managers say they don’t know how to show appreciation at work. Let’s consider 3 simple ways.

  1. Use words to thank your employees. 
  • During a one-on-one conversation or a small group meeting, thank them for a specific task that they are doing well and explain how this work matters to other people - customers, the organization, the department, or a colleague. Thank them for their reliability, their thoughtfulness when others need help, or their high-quality work.
  • Share your thanks by email or in a text or phone call.
  • Write a thank you card or jot a note on a post-it and leave it on their desk.

 

   2.  Use an appropriate form of physical touch.

  • Congratulate a job well done or a group accomplishment with a high five, fist bump, or pat on the back.
  • Help them when they have a task that will be easier with two heads or two sets of hands.
  • Hold the door or help carry boxes when they are loading their vehicle for a trade show.

 

   3.  When they have an urgent deadline and you can spare 20 minutes, ask how you can help.

  • If you are a spreadsheet whiz your 20 minutes could save them 2 hours.
  • If you’re a grammar nerd, you might quickly improve the readability of an important document.

 

Who in your department receives little recognition for the value they add in the workplace? How could you make them feel appreciated during this Thanksgiving season and beyond?

Wrapping Up Your Year – Celebrate Your Wins

By Cathie Leimbach • December 16, 2025
As you’re wrapping presents this season, it’s also a great time to wrap up your year with intention. The end of the year offers a natural pause—a chance to reflect, appreciate, and celebrate the people who made a difference along the way. At work, we often move from one deadline to the next without stopping to say thank you. Take a moment to recognize your teammates. Maybe it’s the coworker who always had your back, or the leader who helped you stretch and grow. A sincere “thank you” or a short handwritten note can go a long way. It doesn’t need to be elaborate—just genuine. The same holds true in your personal life. When was the last time you told a friend or family member how much they mean to you? Between holiday plans and to-do lists, it’s easy to forget that our presence often matters more than any present. Every year brings both highs and lows. As this one comes to a close, choose to focus on what went right. Celebrate the small wins and acknowledge the people who supported you through the challenging moments. So, while you’re taping up gift boxes, take a little time to wrap up your year with gratitude. Send the text. Write the card. Let people know they’re valued. After all, the most meaningful gift you can give is helping someone feel truly appreciated. Want more simple, meaningful ways to express appreciation—without overspending?  👉 View Sharing Joy at Work Without Breaking the Bank for practical ideas you can use right away.

Connectional Intelligence: The Power Skill Behind Big Results

By Cathie Leimbach • December 9, 2025
In Erica Dhawan’s book, Get Big Things Done, she defines Connectional Intelligence as the ability to combine knowledge, networks, and relationships to drive meaningful results. In today’s busy workplace, it’s not just what you know—it’s how well you connect that turns good ideas into big outcomes. Strong Connectional Intelligence within a team strengthens workplace morale and productivity by impacting four key attributes of high-performance cultures: Value Visibly – People perform better when they know their contributions matter. Leaders who highlight strengths, acknowledge effort, and celebrate progress create a culture where great work becomes contagious. Communicate Carefully – In an age of nonstop messages, clarity is a competitive advantage. Thoughtful communication reduces confusion, prevents conflict, and ensures that everyone moves forward with shared understanding. Collaborate Confidently – Connectional Intelligence flourishes when people feel empowered to contribute. Confident collaboration means inviting diverse perspectives, leveraging individual superpowers, and creating space for smart problem-solving. Trust Totally – Trust is the anchor of all high-performing teams. When leaders show reliability, transparency, and empathy, people take risks, share ideas, and stay aligned toward common goals. Connectional Intelligence helps teams innovate faster, break down silos, and accomplish what truly matters. Want to learn more? Visit Erica Dhawan’s website to explore her full body of work and deepen your understanding of Connectional Intelligence.