The Gratitude Multiplier: Leading Through Appreciation

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Hey Spark Family,

This Thanksgiving, I’ve been reflecting on how gratitude isn’t just something we feel - it’s something we practice.
​And the most effective leaders I know don’t just express gratitude occasionally - they embed it into the way they lead.

Because gratitude, when practiced intentionally, becomes a multiplier.
​It strengthens relationships. It builds trust. And it reminds teams - in the middle of deadlines, change, and stress - that their work matters.

The Research Is Clear

Gratitude isn’t fluff. It’s one of the most measurable drivers of engagement and performance:

➡ Gallup (2025): 81% of employees say they’d work harder for a leader who shows genuine appreciation.

➡ Harvard Business Review (2024): High-trust organizations report 74% less stress and 50% higher productivity - both directly linked to how often leaders express appreciation.

➡ UC Berkeley: Regular gratitude practice reduces stress by 23% and boosts happiness by 25%, leading to higher performance and stronger retention.

The bottom line? Gratitude fuels results - not just relationships.

What I'm Seeing In The Field

I’m coaching leaders who are navigating constant change, and many tell me the same thing: “My team is burned out - but I don’t know what else to give.”

My answer is always the same: start with acknowledgement.
​Recognition doesn’t cost time or budget - it costs attention.

When leaders consistently name effort, celebrate wins, and make people feel seen, it changes the emotional temperature of the entire team. Gratitude restores energy, renews purpose, and rebuilds connection where burnout used to live.

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What We Teach Leaders Inside Spark Brilliance

In the Spark Brilliance framework, we teach leaders how to use gratitude strategically - not as a sentiment, but as a leadership system.

That looks like:

🔹 Recognizing effort early and often. Don’t wait until the project ends to say “thank you.” Gratitude is most powerful in real time.

🔹 Making appreciation specific. “Your calm under pressure kept the team grounded” means more than “Great job.”

🔹 Building peer-to-peer gratitude. When everyone practices it, gratitude becomes cultural, not conditional.

When gratitude is consistent, it becomes contagious - and performance follows.

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🌟 Your Challenge This Week

Take five minutes to send a genuine, specific message of appreciation.
To a team member. To a mentor. To someone who’s made your work lighter this year.

And if you can, take some extra minutes for yourself:
Write down three things you’re proud of in how you showed up this year.

Because gratitude isn’t just for others - it’s also how we refuel our own brilliance.

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With deep gratitude,
​Jackie

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P.S. – This week, let’s make gratitude a ripple effect. Forward this newsletter to a leader who could use the reminder - or reply and share how you’re leading with appreciation this season. ✨

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