Giving Thanks

Vail, Colorado

Over the course of my 30-year career, I’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of leaders. From my early days in management consulting and leadership training, to coaching executives, to serving in leadership roles myself — I’ve seen leadership up close in just about every form you can imagine.

And after all these years, one theme stands out to me.

There’s a common thread among the best leaders I’ve known, those who consistently inspire teams, build thriving organizations, and achieve remarkable results.

It’s not charisma.
It’s not being the smartest person in the room.
It’s not even raw ambition.

It’s gratitude.

The Power of Gratitude in Leadership

The leaders who consistently rise above the rest are those who show genuine gratitude — not in a forced, “HR handbook” kind of way, but in the way they speak about and treat their people.

When these leaders give a presentation, they talk about their team’s accomplishments, not their own. When they’re sharing progress, they highlight the obstacles their team has overcome. When they celebrate milestones, they talk about the growth and success of the individuals who made it possible.

The “I” is replaced with “we.”

And the impact is profound. Teams work harder. They feel seen. They know their contributions matter. And they’re willing to push themselves to new levels, because they’re part of something bigger than just one person’s ambition.

Gratitude ≠ Soft Leadership

Now, let me be clear: gratitude doesn’t mean leaders are pushovers. The leaders I admire most don’t shy away from holding their teams accountable. They still make tough calls — sometimes very tough calls — about talent, direction, and performance.

But here’s the difference: they do it while showing appreciation. They recognize effort, they give credit, and they make it clear that success is shared, not hoarded.

The result is a culture where people know they’ll be challenged, but they’ll also be valued.

When Gratitude Is Missing

Unfortunately, not every leader sees the importance of this.

I’ve watched leaders who spend more time promoting themselves than praising their teams. They remind everyone — far too often — that they’re the CEO, or that they were the one who made the big call, or that they alone are responsible for the company’s direction.

Yes, people know you’re the CEO. But when gratitude is absent, respect erodes. Teams disengage. And sooner or later, even the most talented people choose to go work somewhere else — somewhere they’ll be valued.

Gratitude isn’t optional. It’s essential.

Lessons from Sports

You see the same thing in coaching. The best coaches don’t hog the spotlight. They give credit to their assistant coaches, their staff, and most of all, their players.

Sure, they take responsibility when things go wrong — that comes with the territory — but when things go right, they shine the spotlight outward.

Contrast that with the coaches who constantly say, “I did this,” or “I made that adjustment.” Eventually, assistant coaches don’t want to work for them, and players don’t want to play for them.

The same is true in business. Leadership that centers on “me” instead of “we” just doesn’t last.

A Note of Thanks

As I write this, it feels like the perfect moment to practice what I’m preaching — and to offer gratitude of my own.

For the past year, you’ve joined me here in Rivr Notes week after week. You’ve read, shared, and — most meaningful of all — you’ve sent me your thoughts, comments, and reflections.

I can’t tell you how much that fuels me. Every note I get from a reader is a reminder that this isn’t just me typing into the void — it’s a shared journey. And I don’t take lightly that you give a few minutes of your busy day to read these Notes.

So, thank you. Truly.

Looking Ahead

With that, I also want to share that Rivr Notes will be shifting from a weekly cadence to a monthly cadence.

This isn’t the end — far from it. If anything, it’s an opportunity to go a little deeper, to reflect more thoughtfully, and to continue building this community together.

I didn’t know where this journey would take us when I started, but I do know this: I’m grateful for each of you who has come along.

So here’s to giving thanks — not just this season, but as a way of leading, living, and working.

And here’s to you, the Rivr Notes community.

I wouldn’t be here without you.

See you soon,

Brent, your Rivr Guide 

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🎧 Bonus: If this sparked something for you, you might enjoy the companion podcast episode of Rivr Conversations. It builds on the ideas in this Rivr Note—offering a new angle, deeper reflection, and practical ways to carry the story forward.

🎙️ Subscribe to Rivr Conversations and listen wherever you get your podcasts—just search for “Rivr Conversations” on your favorite platform.