5 Ways to Lead with Gratitude

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday here in the US, I’ve been reflecting on the things that I’m most thankful for—my family, friends, health, and community. And this year, which marks Procore Technologies ' 20th anniversary, I couldn’t be more grateful to be surrounded by so many talented, innovative, and inspiring people who are eager to advance the industry I love. While Thanksgiving is a great time to give thanks, we can also show gratitude year-round in simple ways. So in the spirit of the season, I’ve also been reflecting on how I and other leaders can help set the tone within our organizations to drive a culture of gratitude.

One of the best ways we can do this is by celebrating people early and often and ingraining positive recognition into the company ethos. Not only does this drive employee engagement, reduce turnover, and lead to a healthier workplace culture, but it also cultivates stronger relationships with customers, partners, and employees alike. While showing appreciation can take many forms, here are five of the most impactful ways I’ve found to foster gratitude in the workplace.

1. Cultivate empathy.

Since day one, Procore’s north star has been to put people first in everything we do. And as leaders, if we are to do this effectively, we must learn to “walk in others’ shoes.” This includes everyone from customers, to partners, to employees, and it means setting aside time to check in and ask questions. Seek to learn about their work, challenges, lived experiences, and what motivates them. Encourage those around you to express their true authentic selves, which is often overlooked by leaders. All of this builds a deep sense of empathy which fosters greater compassion, engagement, and ultimately, gratitude.

2. Build a team mentality.

Isaac Newton once said, "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Success doesn’t happen in a vacuum; rather, it is directly tied to the efforts and sacrifices of those around us, and it requires a tremendous amount of empathy, trust, and above all, teamwork. At Procore, our success is a culmination of each and every person who has supported us on our journey, and it is only because of their support, passion, and commitment over the past 20 years that we’ve been able to accomplish what we have. 

3. Check your ego at the door.

Leaders are often seen as visionaries who have all of the answers. But we’re fallible and don’t always get it right 100% of the time—not even close. Good leadership means knowing your limits and being self-aware enough to recognize when ego is getting in the way. The best leaders are able to check their egos at the door, listen to perspectives that challenge their own, and learn to welcome feedback as a gift. This is not always easy and something I am personally working on myself. Ultimately, this not only helps us become more grateful for the process of growth and improvement, but we also become more appreciative of the people who help us become better leaders along the way.

4. Turn challenges into opportunities.

When I wake up each day, I ask myself, What are the most difficult challenges I'm going to face today at work? I then try to reframe these challenges as opportunities to learn, grow, and improve. This simple mindset shift drives greater personal engagement and job satisfaction, which naturally opens me up to being grateful for the opportunity to lead.

5. Start small.

A 2013 Glassdoor Employee Appreciation Survey found that 53% of employees would stay at their company longer if they felt more appreciation from their boss, and 81% said they feel motivated to work harder when their boss shows appreciation for their work. Similarly, a study from the University of Pennsylvania showed that when leaders are grateful to their employees, the employees are 50% more successful. Putting this into practice can be as simple as opening a meeting with a “thank you” or sending a brief message to someone acknowledging their work. This sets the precedent from the top down, creating a culture of gratitude and engagement that motivates others to do the same.

There’s a quote from Theodore Roosevelt that sums all of this up nicely: “People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.” In my experience, leading with gratitude is as fundamental to leadership as leading with empathy—it’s part and parcel to creating a healthy workplace culture where people feel appreciated, valued, and are able to bring their best, authentic selves to work every day.

In the spirit of gratitude, I would like to say a big “thank you” to our customers, partners, shareholders, and employees for being part of our journey—Procore wouldn’t be where it is today without you. For those of you in the US, I wish you all an incredible Thanksgiving holiday!

I’d love to hear from you—how are you leading with gratitude in the workplace? Feel free to drop a comment below.