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Key Takeaways Personalized gratitude has the greatest impact.
Experiences and time matter more than things.
Gratitude should extend beyond the office — and beyond the holiday season.
As Thanksgiving approaches, many leaders look for meaningful ways to give thanks — and there’s no better recipients of that gratitude than the employees who bring your company’s mission to life. While appreciation should be a year-long practice, the holiday season is the perfect time to elevate your gratitude and make your people feel truly seen.
Here are seven simple, practical and high-impact ways to show appreciation for your employees, especially around Thanksgiving:
Related: Sincere Appreciation Is the Magic Ingredient for Good Morale
1. Send a Company-Wide “We Give Thanks” Message (Personalized for Every Employee)
For the past seven years, my partner and I have written a detailed “We Give Thanks” email listing every team member — more than 300 names — with a single sentence describing why each person matters. Some notes are funny, others are serious, all are heartfelt.
This tradition isn’t quick, but it’s powerful. Employees feel recognized not just for what they do, but for who they are.
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