- Kevin Sanders
- Nov 15
- 4 min read
November 15, 2025
Read Time - 4 minutes
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
~ William Arthur Ward
A few months ago, I received a handwritten letter from a student I taught over ten years ago.
In an age of emails and emojis, a real letter feels almost sacred.
I’ll spare you the details, but he simply thanked me for some of the lessons he took away from our time together — not just about music, but about work, character, and life.
I’ll be honest — it made my week.
That letter reminded me of two truths about leadership that I often forget when life gets busy:
You rarely know the full impact of your words or presence.
Gratitude has a way of grounding you — both when you receive it and when you express it.
We’re heading into the part of the semester when even the most energized leaders start to feel the weight of the work. The deadlines don’t slow down, but the energy sure does. And that’s exactly when practicing gratitude becomes more than a nicety — it becomes a leadership strategy.
Why Gratitude Matters
Gratitude is more than a polite habit.
It’s also a way of directing your attention, which is the most valuable resource a leader has.
When your attention is consumed by what’s broken — the bottlenecks, the budget shortfalls, the meeting that went sideways — you start leading from scarcity.
Gratitude re-centers your focus on what’s working, who’s contributing, and why the work matters.
And the research is clear:
A UC Davis study found that people who practice gratitude regularly report 25% higher life satisfaction and significantly lower stress.
Gallup’s workplace data shows that when leaders express appreciation, their teams experience lower turnover and higher engagement.
And here’s one more takeaway: Gratitude builds connection.
And connection is what keeps teams (and leaders) resilient when the pace and pressure pick up.
The Two-Note Habit
That letter from my former student nudged me to double down on a simple ritual I started years ago: Every week, I write at least two notes of gratitude.
Some weeks it’s more, but it’s never less than two.
Sometimes it’s to a faculty member who went above and beyond.
Sometimes to a staff member who quietly saved the day.
Sometimes to a student, donor, or community partner who made something possible.
The notes aren’t long or formal — usually just a few sentences to say, “I saw this, it mattered, you are appreciated, etc.” And over time, I’ve noticed gratitude doesn’t just change how others feel — it changes how you see the world around you. You begin to look for good work instead of just correcting bad work.
How to Feel and Show Gratitude — Especially When You’re Tired
As we move into the home stretch of the semester, here are a few simple ways to lead with gratitude — even when you’re running on fumes:
1. Make gratitude a discipline, not a mood.
You don’t have to wait until you “feel thankful.” Gratitude grows through repetition. Schedule five minutes a week for it — literally block it on your calendar. That tiny structure turns it from good intention into consistent practice.
2. Be specific, not generic.
“Thanks for all you do” is nice, but “I really appreciated how you kept calm and clear during that tense meeting” builds trust.
Specificity is what makes gratitude credible...and powerful.
3. Notice the invisible work.
Every campus has people whose names rarely show up in recognition emails — the quiet organizers, the fixers, the behind-the-scenes magicians.
When leaders see them, morale multiplies. Culture shifts by what leaders notice and celebrate.
4. Express it both privately and publicly.
A private note builds personal trust. A public acknowledgment (at a meeting, in an email, or on social media) builds collective pride.
Both matter — one fills the heart and the other lifts the culture.
When Gratitude Feels Hard
Let’s be real: there are seasons when gratitude feels forced. When the pressures are heavy, the progress slow, or the problems endless.
But that’s exactly when it becomes most important.
Gratitude isn't an exercise in pretending things are fine —
it’s about remembering that not everything is broken.
It gives you perspective, and perspective keeps you steady.
It’s how leaders find composure without denial and hope without naivety.
Try This Before Friday
Before the week ends, write (or speak) two simple thank-yous.
One to someone in your orbit — a colleague, staff member, or student.
And one to someone beyond it — a mentor, partner, or friend who’s supported you quietly.
It will take less than five minutes.
But it just might change your focus — and someone else’s week.
Bottom Line
As we enter a season that naturally invites reflection, remember this: gratitude isn’t seasonal for leaders — it’s strategic.
You can’t control the constant demands of higher education. But you can choose where you place your attention.
And attention, directed with gratitude, is what keeps your leadership human and grounded.
Because when leaders make gratitude a habit, they don’t just feel better.
They help others rise higher.
Which is exactly what a leader should do.
That's it for today.
Thanks for reading!
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