Sometimes it is the easy reminder; holidays, seasonal change, dates established by Hallmark so we just don’t forget to acknowledge someone.

For an Elegant Leader it may be part of their DNA, or they may have adjusted their leadership habits to ensure they express gratefulness. So what are grateful actions?

At one point in my career I worked for a CEO that had a spring in his step. He made a point of knowing employees beyond their job duties. He was upbeat and it was contagious, he allowed humor and laughter in the workplace while being focused on results. He was appreciative of small and large actions, kindness was woven in his fabric – it was sincere. As a CEO, he had a grateful spirit – for life, for people, for taking the right action. At the time, I was in my 20’s, and just thought he was good guy. Today as I reflect, I see he brought more then a bottom-line approach to business – don’t get me wrong, goals and results were very key, but respecting and appreciating people and customers was intertwined in the business.

I learned being a leader, isn’t about title, it is about knowing where you’re going, taking action to achieve, and working with people to achieve in a kind and caring way.

So no matter what your title is, take the opportunity to weave gratefulness and kindness into your makeup. Don’t just save it for after 5:00 pm. Our workplaces need it too.