Our Favorite Management Tips About Showing Gratitude at WorkSKIP TO CONTENTHarvard Business Review LogoHarvard Business Review LogoLeadership and managing people|Our Favorite Management Tips About Showing Gratitude at WorkSubscribeSign InLatestMagazineTopicsPodcastsStoreReading ListsData & VisualsCase SelectionsHBR ExecutiveSearch hbr.orgCLEARSubscribeLatestPodcastsThe MagazineStoreWebinarsNewslettersAll TopicsReading ListsData & VisualsCase SelectionsHBR ExecutiveMy LibraryAccount SettingsSign InExplore HBRLatestThe MagazinePodcastsStoreWebinarsNewslettersPopular TopicsManaging YourselfLeadershipStrategyManaging TeamsGenderInnovationWork-life BalanceAll TopicsFor SubscribersReading ListsData & VisualsCase SelectionsHBR ExecutiveSubscribeMy AccountMy LibraryTopic FeedsOrdersAccount SettingsEmail PreferencesSign InHarvard Business Review LogoLeadership and managing peopleOur Favorite Management Tips About Showing Gratitude at Work by HBR EditorsNovember 22, 2023, Updated November 27, 2025Halfdark/Getty ImagesPostPostShareSaveBuy CopiesPrintSummary.   Leer en españolLer em portuguêsPostPostShareSaveBuy CopiesPrintEach weekday, in our Management Tip of the Day newsletter, HBR offers tips to help you better manage your team — and yourself. In honor of Thanksgiving in the U.S., we wanted to share a curated selection of our Management Tips on how to show gratitude and appreciation at work. We hope you find the advice useful at any time of year.HBR Editors This story is by the staff at Harvard Business Review.PostPostShareSaveBuy CopiesPrintRead more on Leadership and managing people or related topics Leading teams, Collaboration and teams, Managing yourself and Managing employeesPartner CenterStart my subscription!Explore HBRThe LatestAll TopicsMagazine ArchiveReading ListsCase SelectionsHBR ExecutivePodcastsWebinarsData & VisualsMy LibraryNewslettersHBR PressHBR StoreArticle ReprintsBooksCasesCollectionsMagazine IssuesHBR Guide SeriesHBR 20-Minute ManagersHBR Emotional Intelligence SeriesHBR Must ReadsToolsAbout HBRContact UsAdvertise with UsInformation for Booksellers/RetailersMastheadGlobal EditionsMedia InquiriesGuidelines for AuthorsHBR Analytic ServicesCopyright PermissionsAccessibilityDigital AccessibilityManage My AccountMy LibraryTopic FeedsOrdersAccount SettingsEmail PreferencesAccount FAQHelp CenterContact Customer ServiceExplore HBRThe LatestAll TopicsMagazine ArchiveReading ListsCase SelectionsHBR ExecutivePodcastsWebinarsData & VisualsMy LibraryNewslettersHBR PressHBR StoreArticle ReprintsBooksCasesCollectionsMagazine IssuesHBR Guide SeriesHBR 20-Minute ManagersHBR Emotional Intelligence SeriesHBR Must ReadsToolsAbout HBRContact UsAdvertise with UsInformation for Booksellers/RetailersMastheadGlobal EditionsMedia InquiriesGuidelines for AuthorsHBR Analytic ServicesCopyright PermissionsAccessibilityDigital AccessibilityManage My AccountMy LibraryTopic FeedsOrdersAccount SettingsEmail PreferencesAccount FAQHelp CenterContact Customer ServiceFollow HBRFacebookX Corp.LinkedInInstagramYour NewsreaderHarvard Business Review LogoAbout UsCareersPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyCopyright InformationTrademark PolicyTerms of UseHarvard Business Publishing:Higher EducationCorporate LearningHarvard Business ReviewHarvard Business SchoolCopyright ©2025 Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing is an affiliate of Harvard Business School.

Showing gratitude at work, as highlighted by Harvard Business Review, represents a foundational management technique with the potential to significantly impact team dynamics, morale, and overall organizational effectiveness. The article centers on the recognition that consistent expressions of appreciation—a core element of the “Management Tip of the Day” newsletter—aren't merely polite gestures, but rather strategic interventions designed to cultivate a positive and productive work environment. The emphasis isn’t on grand, performative acts of gratitude, but rather on the deliberate and repeated practice of acknowledging and valuing the contributions of team members. These tips, regularly disseminated through the HBR’s newsletter, propose that recognition, when genuinely conveyed, creates a sense of psychological safety, fostering a willingness to take risks, collaborate openly, and invest wholeheartedly in the team’s success.

The article doesn’t prescribe a specific method for demonstrating gratitude, instead advocating for a flexible and tailored approach. It suggests that gratitude can be expressed in various ways, ranging from simple verbal acknowledgements – such as “thank you” or “I appreciate your help” – to more substantial actions like nominating a team member for an award, providing an opportunity for professional development, or publicly recognizing their achievements. The underlying principle remains constant: the intent matters most. A sincere expression of appreciation, regardless of the specific form it takes, is far more effective than a rote or insincere one. Furthermore, the article stresses the importance of consistency. Sporadic acts of gratitude are unlikely to have a lasting impact; a regular pattern of appreciation reinforces the message that individuals’ efforts are valued and contribute meaningfully to the team’s objectives.

The article subtly suggests that cultivating a gratitude-oriented culture can have repercussions that extend beyond immediate team performance. By prioritizing appreciation, managers can contribute to a stronger sense of loyalty and commitment among employees. When individuals feel valued, they are more likely to remain with the organization, reducing turnover costs and preserving valuable institutional knowledge. Additionally, a culture of gratitude fosters positive interpersonal relationships, mitigating conflict and promoting a collaborative atmosphere. Essentially, the demonstrated value placed on each team member’s contribution can directly encourage increased effort and engagement. The recurring focus on this management tip within the HBR’s daily newsletter underlines its practicality and relevance for both novice and experienced leaders. It serves as a readily accessible reminder of a core principle for successfully managing teams and harnessing the potential of a motivated and appreciative workforce.