Leading with Gratitude: Building a Culture That Lasts

In leadership, gratitude isn’t just something we express once a year; it’s something we

model every day.

In home health and hospice, we lead in high-impact, emotionally demanding

environments. Our teams give so much of themselves to care for others, often under

pressure, balancing complex patient needs, regulatory expectations, and personal

sacrifice. Amid it all, one of the most powerful things we can do as leaders is to pause

and say thank you.

Not just for what was done, but for the heart it took to do it.

The Power of Gratitude in Leadership

Gratitude builds trust and connection. It reminds people that their work matters, not just to the organization but to the patients and families whose lives they touch every day.

And research supports what we already know intuitively as leaders: people who feel appreciated give their best.

A 2025 survey by Achievers Workforce Institute found that 90% of employees say they’re more likely to go above and beyond when their work is truly recognized.

Recognition isn’t just about feeling valued; it drives engagement, performance, and retention.

Yet, according to Gallup, only about one in three employees strongly agree that they’ve received recognition or praise for doing good work in the past week. That gap matters.

When gratitude isn’t part of our leadership rhythm, burnout rises, and team connection weakens.

Gratitude Creates Culture

In my years as a Branch Director and Administrator, I learned that gratitude isn’t just an attitude; it’s an atmosphere.

It’s found in the simple things like saying good morning before diving into the day, asking how are you before directing or correcting, or taking a moment to say, thank you for taking care of that patient at 2 a.m. They may have been on call, but it is still a big deal to gather yourself in the middle of the night and go care for someone who needs you.

It’s also saying have a good evening or thank you for all that you do. Every employee deserves to hear that. And if you find there’s nothing you can sincerely thank someone for, it may be time to pause and re-evaluate, because gratitude and awareness go hand in hand.

The tone you set as a leader shapes how your team communicates, collaborates, and carries out their work. When appreciation becomes part of the daily culture, your team begins to reflect it in how they care for patients and for each other.

Agencies that nurture this kind of environment are stronger in every way. Their retention is better, their care quality is more consistent, and their outcomes are more sustainable.

Gratitude doesn’t take time away from operations; it fuels them.

How to Lead with Gratitude Every Day

You don’t need a formal program or big announcement to start building a culture of appreciation. Here are a few ways to integrate gratitude into everyday leadership:

1. Start meetings with gratitude. Begin each team huddle or case conference by naming one success or highlighting someone’s effort. It immediately shifts the

energy and reminds everyone why their work matters.

2. Acknowledge progress, not perfection. Recognize growth, learning, and persistence, especially when challenges arise. Gratitude fuels resilience.

3. Connect recognition to impact. Don’t just say “thank you.” Tell your team why their work mattered. Example: “Your education on medication changes prevented a hospitalization this week.” That’s purpose in action.

4. Be consistent. Gratitude has its greatest impact when it’s practiced regularly, not reserved for holidays or milestones.

Gratitude and Quality Go Hand in Hand

In home health and hospice, quality and gratitude are more connected than we often realize. When teams feel valued, they are more engaged, more attentive, and more willing to go the extra mile for patients.

Building a culture of gratitude strengthens the very foundation of quality care, including communication, teamwork, and trust.

As leaders, we have the privilege of shaping that culture every single day.

So, as we move through this season of thankfulness, let’s carry it beyond November.

Because gratitude doesn’t just make us feel good; it makes us lead better.