The Power of Gratitude and Humility: Essential Traits for Success

Remember when you were a child, and the first manners you learned were “please” and “thank you”? Those simple words taught us respect and appreciation from an early age. As we enter the adult world of a busy work week and complex interactions, it is easy to overlook these basics. Yet showing genuine gratitude and humility isn’t just polite—it’s essential to building trust and increasing productivity and morale.

Gratitude, humility, and kindness are more than just “nice-to-haves” in the workplace; they’re fundamental to building strong connections, boosting resilience, achieving lasting success, and adding to the company’s bottom line. Nobody wants to be around an arrogant or disrespectful individual, in the workplace or in day-to-day life. Let’s explore why these values matter, how they benefit newcomers and seasoned leaders alike, and how to put them into practice for a fulfilling career and business success.

Why gratitude, humility, and kindness matter in professional growth

When leaders prioritize genuine appreciation over recognition for recognition's sake, their teams can tell the difference. Gratitude involves recognizing and appreciating positive things, while humility is staying grounded and open to feedback. Kindness, meanwhile, reflects respect and empathy for others. Together, these traits create a resilient, adaptable mindset that’s essential for personal and professional success.

The article How Humble Leadership Really Works discusses how humble leaders foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment by encouraging open communication, valuing team members' input, and supporting employees' growth. By demonstrating humility, leaders build trust and engagement, resulting in a more motivated and productive workforce that contributes to organizational success.

• Self-reflection and continuous learning: Humble leaders regularly reflect on their own strengths and weaknesses, showing a commitment to continuous learning, which models growth for their team.
• Empowering others: By valuing team members' insights and contributions, humble leaders empower others to take initiative and make meaningful contributions, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.
• Building resilience in teams: Humble leadership enhances resilience within teams, as open communication and trust make employees more adaptable to challenges and changes.
• Positive ripple effect: Humble leadership not only influences direct reports but also inspires a culture of humility and respect throughout the organization, creating a supportive and positive work environment at all levels.

How humility and adaptability make leaders more effective

Humility enhances a leader’s adaptability and effectiveness, especially in changing business environments. Leaders who exhibit humility welcome feedback and diverse ideas, helping them make well-rounded decisions and fostering a collaborative workplace. By admitting they don’t have all the answers, humble leaders empower their teams to contribute ideas, building a culture of shared knowledge and continuous improvement.

Before hitting send on any email, text, or message, take a moment to review it: Did you say "thank you"? Did you express appreciation and respect for the recipient’s time and contributions? Were you humble, or were you just focused on showcasing your knowledge or elevating your own importance? Communicating with gratitude and humility not only fosters stronger connections but also reflects a maturity and professionalism that makes others genuinely want to work with you.

Leaders who model kindness and respect create a work environment where putting others down or criticizing publicly is not tolerated. When employees see their leaders practicing gratitude and humility, they’re more likely to emulate these values, creating a supportive, positive team culture. Remember that the one leadership role that cannot be delegated—but can be a guide to your employees—is respect.

Embracing “I Don’t Know”: The power of admitting gaps

Saying “I don’t know” in a business meeting may seem daunting, but it’s a sign of humility and a willingness to learn. Most employees appreciate honesty, as it shows commitment to finding accurate answers rather than risking a mistake. Admitting when you’re unsure demonstrates integrity and self-awareness, which builds credibility and trust. Of course, you will need to demonstrate you are learning and knowledgeable as you gain experience to show management you are growing and learning.

This approach also opens the door for collaborative problem-solving and mutual learning, creating a supportive, growth-oriented workplace. Most managers prefer hearing “Let me find out” to a guess or wrong answer, seeing this as confidence that cultivates a culture of continuous improvement and respect for accuracy.

Arrogance often stems from a lack of self-esteem, as it reflects a need to elevate oneself at the expense of others, compensating for underlying insecurities. Instead of confidence, arrogance showcases an often fragile self-image that relies on external validation and superiority, making it a mask for inner doubt rather than a genuine expression of self-assurance.

Humanity matters in business

Humanity matters: When I was in business school, I learned this lesson the hard way. We had an assignment in a Public Relations class to write a press release on a recent disaster, and I was assigned the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion. I researched it thoroughly, gathering every fact about the shuttle, the technology, who was on board, what it took to be an astronaut, and the various theories on why it crashed. I then presented it to the class, confident in my research.

But in focusing solely on laying out all the facts, I failed miserably to acknowledge the human side of the tragedy. I didn’t start by recognizing the tremendous loss of life or naming each individual person who had sacrificed everything for this mission. I missed the humility to honor the sacrifices made and the gratitude for their courage.

My teacher’s feedback cut deep: “You got all the facts right, but you forgot about the human side of this story.” That lesson stayed with me as a reminder that no matter how well-prepared you are, acknowledging people’s experiences and sacrifices is the heart of any message. In my eagerness to present the facts, I overlooked the core human elements, a mistake that taught me humility in a way no textbook could.

Practical tips to cultivate gratitude, humility, and kindness

Developing gratitude, humility, and kindness takes intention, but the benefits are well worth the effort. Here are ways to make these values part of your daily routine:

• Check yourself: This bears repeating. Does your communication show gratitude and humility and does it demonstrate sincerity? If not, edit your communications to include simple words of appreciation and humility in a way that shows you really mean it, and do this consistently.
• Keep track: Keep notes on how your associates or team members are helpful, kind, or contribute to the success of the company. Acknowledge them in emails, texts, and especially in front of others. This builds your gratitude and your network, and encourages great work.
• Show appreciation to others: Make it a habit to thank coworkers for their contributions, no matter how small. Recognizing others (especially in front of others) builds trust and strengthens relationships. The opposite is also true—never condemn or ridicule anyone in a group setting (or ever!). Constructive feedback is important, derision is not.
• Celebrate team successes over individual wins: Instead of highlighting only your own accomplishments, recognize the team's efforts. Emphasizing collective success fosters camaraderie and discourages a "me first" mentality.
• Give credit where it's due: When an idea or project is successful, make sure to credit everyone involved, not just yourself. This shows that you value others' contributions and are not focused solely on self-promotion.
• Practice active listening: Fully listen in conversations without interrupting. This demonstrates humility and respect for others’ perspectives, deepening connections. Listening to understand, not to respond, shows self-awareness.
• Admit when you don’t know: Embrace humility by acknowledging knowledge gaps. Seeking answers or saying, “I will find out” shows a commitment to learning and collaboration. Curiosity and continuous learning are the keys to success and a growth mindset.
• Model kindness and respect: As a leader, create a culture where kindness is valued, and constructive feedback is given respectfully and privately, reinforcing a supportive environment.

Readings on gratitude and kindness in leadership

"Leading with Gratitude" by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton reveals how gratitude can transform workplace culture, motivating teams and building loyalty. Their research-backed strategies show that appreciation can enhance engagement and productivity, resulting in a more fulfilling work environment.

Another essential read is "The Art of Appreciation" by Peggy Halevi, which emphasizes how practicing gratitude enhances personal and professional relationships. The book offers insights into cultivating a mindset of appreciation that fosters both individual growth and team unity.

"Everybody Matters" by Bob Chapman and Raj Sisodia is a transformative business book that emphasizes the profound impact of a people-centered approach to leadership. Chapman shares how treating employees with genuine respect, compassion, and care can not only enhance workplace morale but also drive success across the organization. His core message is that every individual matters, and by creating a culture where employees feel valued and respected, companies can achieve both personal and professional growth.

The book promotes a shift away from traditional profit-centered management to a leadership style focused on empowering people and fostering meaningful connections, ultimately leading to sustainable success.

Adam Grant, a respected voice in organizational psychology, also advocates for the power of gratitude in leadership. He encourages leaders to “give credit where credit is due,” as doing so builds loyalty and inspires team members to go above and beyond. In his work, Grant highlights how grateful leaders not only strengthen relationships but also create a workplace that thrives on trust and mutual respect.

Embracing gratitude, humility, and kindness for lasting success

Gratitude, humility, and kindness are more than just positive traits—they’re essential for building enduring success. For newcomers, these qualities foster a growth-oriented mindset, making it easier to navigate challenges and learn from experience. For leaders, practicing these values creates a workplace culture where team members feel valued, engaged, and motivated to contribute. Embracing these traits strengthens resilience, deepens relationships, and lays the foundation for a fulfilling career.

Remember, the simple acts of gratitude, humility, and kindness can have a profound impact, creating a legacy of respect and mutual growth. So, take the time to say “thank you,” listen openly, and LEAD with gratitude—these small acts can make a world of difference in shaping a successful, fulfilling career and thriving business.