Welcome to Leadership Insights! Each week, we curate transformative leadership insights and add our own expertise to help you lead with purpose and impact. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, you’ll find actionable wisdom in every edition.
Thanksgiving is a perfect reminder of the power of gratitude in leadership. A simple, heartfelt expression of appreciation can energize your team and strengthen their commitment more than any strategy or incentive. But this year, let’s go beyond a generic “thank you” and make it truly meaningful.
This week, take a moment to recognize each team member individually. Be specific: highlight a unique contribution they’ve made or a quality they bring to the team that you value. For example, “I really appreciate how you handled [specific project]. Your creativity and calm under pressure made a big difference.” Personal, detailed gratitude leaves a lasting impact and reminds your team how valued they are.
This Week’s Posts We Love
LinkedIn Spotlight by Colby Kultgen
This past week, I loved stumbling across this post from Colby Kultgen. His six questions offer a powerful moment of pause—inviting us to reflect with honesty, gratitude, and intention before we step into a new year. As we wrap up 2025, I encourage you to sit with each one and notice what rises to the surface. Which question challenged you the most? I would love to hear from you!
Click Here to Check Out The Full LI Post
Podcast Spotlight: Why You’re Never Satisfied! The 4 Pillars of Lasting Happiness
This week’s podcast spotlight couldn’t come at a better time as we lean into gratitude and reflection. In this powerful episode of Diary of a CEO, Arthur C. Brooks breaks down the four pillars of lasting happiness and reminds us that fulfillment is built with intention. His insights on purpose, emotional resilience, and meaning are a needed counterbalance to the pressures many leaders feel this time of year. A perfect listen as we head into Thanksgiving and reconnect with what truly matters.
Check Out the Full Episode Here
Book of the Week
The Fourth Quarter of Your Life: Embracing What Matters Most by Mathew Kelly and Allen R. Hunt
This week’s must-read for leaders is Intentional Fourth Quarter Living, a compelling guide to creating a life of purpose, meaning, and legacy. Whether you’re approaching the later stages of life or simply seeking clarity and direction, this book emphasizes that graceful aging, peaceful endings, and impactful legacies are intentional choices. Leaders will find inspiration and practical strategies to prioritize what matters most, make thoughtful decisions, and leave behind a legacy of hope and encouragement.
Must-Read Article of the Week
“How to Prime Your Mind for Optimism” by Catherine A. Sanderson
In “How to Prime Your Mind for Optimism,” Catherine A. Sanderson discusses strategies to cultivate a more optimistic mindset, including reframing stressors, practicing gratitude, and finding humor in daily life. This insightful read offers practical advice for leaders seeking to foster resilience and positivity within their teams.
From the CARE to Lead® Archives
3 Must-Have Qualities of Authentic Leadership
This week’s archive post takes us back to a powerful reminder: authentic leadership is about three things– integrity, trust, and self-awareness. Those qualities build stronger teams while creating workplaces where people feel valued and safe. If you’re exploring what authentic leadership could look like for you, this post is a great place to start.
Closing Thoughts
Gratitude is one of the most powerful tools a leader has. How will you show your team how much they matter this week? And, while we are on the topic of gratitude, let me take this time to tell you just how grateful I am for you. Thanks for your support over the years; it’s genuinely appreciated! Let’s connect—find me on LinkedIn, Bluesky, YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram, and share how intentional gratitude is transforming your team.
Thank you for being part of our leadership community. We’re dedicated to helping you lead with Clarity, Authenticity, Responsibility, and Engagement. Until next week, keep raising the bar on your leadership journey!
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