The Strategic Power of Appreciation

As the year begins to wind down, many leaders focus on closing projects, finalizing budgets, and preparing for the year ahead. However, there is a quieter leadership responsibility that often gets overshadowed during this busy season, and that’s the responsibility to recognize the people who make organizational progress possible. Appreciation is one of the simplest leadership behaviors and one of the most consistently underused. This moment offers an opportunity to strengthen relationships, reinforce trust, and raise morale in purposeful ways.

Building a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to excel. This is what collective commitment looks like.

The Case for Recognition

Reports continue to demonstrate the power of meaningful acknowledgment. According to Gallup, employees who receive recognition that feels specific and genuine are almost three times more likely to be engaged; they are also significantly more likely to describe their workplace as supportive. Teams that feel valued collaborate more effectively, adapt more easily to change, and show higher levels of innovation and resilience. Showing appreciation is valuable because it demonstrates care, but it is also a measurable strategy that supports performance and talent retention.

This moment in the business cycle offers a meaningful opportunity to acknowledge the weight teams have carried, as L&D professionals have navigated rapid shifts in technology and evolving skill demands while executives have managed competing priorities in an environment shaped by constant uncertainty. Despite these pressures, people have continued to show up with dedication, creativity, and resilience, often sustaining progress in ways that are easy to overlook. Acknowledging these contributions allows people to feel seen and valued, which renews their energy and connection as they move into the new year.

The ROI of Recognition is clear: Employees who feel genuinely recognized are nearly 3 times more engaged. Recognition isn't a soft skill—it's a high-impact business strategy.

Appreciation as Culture Building

Research and practice indicate that organizations with robust leadership cultures embed recognition as a capability rather than a gesture. By offering praise that is specific and tied to impact, and by highlighting team wins in ways that promote confidence rather than competition, leaders reinforce the behaviors they hope to see replicated across the organization. Over time, these consistent rhythms and rituals of acknowledgment help establish psychological safety and deepen each person’s understanding of the value they bring to the collective work.

Four Practices to Activate Now

Below are four practical ways leaders can strengthen appreciation across their teams during this reflective season:

Make recognition specific. Move beyond general praise and highlight the behavior, decision, or contribution that made a difference. Specificity helps people understand what to continue or amplify.

Create contribution spotlights. Use team meetings or communication channels to showcase a recent win, milestone, or meaningful effort. Keeping the focus on impact reinforces clarity and motivation.

Revisit personal leadership intentions. Appreciation is a grounding practice. Reflect on the habits you want to carry into the new year and model the behaviors you want your teams to embrace.

Start meetings with celebrations. A practice we have seen work well for one of our clients is dedicating the first few minutes of large meetings to sharing wins, big or small. Whether it is a project breakthrough, a supportive peer interaction, or a personal moment of progress, these celebrations help people feel seen and strengthen a culture where appreciation is normalized.

Recognition is a skill that must be practiced and developed. It’s a core leadership capability that drives performance, not just a nice gesture.

Looking Ahead

Trust and belonging will remain central to the performance and resilience of high functioning teams in 2026, and leaders who practice intentional appreciation now strengthen the alignment and energy their organizations will need in the months ahead. Thoughtful recognition woven into the rhythm of daily work highlights the behaviors and contributions that shape a healthy culture and helps individuals understand the impact of their efforts. In workplaces facing ongoing change and pressure, small expressions of gratitude create moments for people to regain clarity and stay connected to the work that matters. Leaders who take time to notice these steady contributions and name them directly reinforce a shared sense of purpose and deepen the cultural foundation that will carry their teams forward.

C-Suite Coach is the preferred strategic partner in talent development and business solutions. We are dedicated to helping your organization build a trusted workplace while cultivating a thriving culture. Submit a consultation request here to learn more about our services.