Why Appreciation Changes Everything

*Anthony’s 11-year anniversary today — a reminder of how lucky we are to have people who show up, contribute, and make this place better every single day.*

It Started With Anthony’s 11th Anniversary

Yesterday, we celebrated Anthony’s 11th anniversary at Winning Edge Graphics, which meant presenting him with a giant check for $100 for each year of service. And yes, there was also a bank deposit of the same amount. 😉

As he held that $1,100 check, standing in our production area with the printers humming behind him, something hit me:

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This isn’t really about the check.
It’s about gratitude — the kind that builds workplaces people want to stay in.

Watching Anthony smile, I felt this wave of appreciation… and the thought landed:

This is exactly what I should write about.
Why gratitude matters at work — not just during Thanksgiving, but every single day.

Why Gratitude at Work Matters

Gratitude isn’t a warm-fuzzy bonus.
It’s one of the strongest drivers of morale, retention, and performance.

🌱 Gratitude boosts engagement and productivity

Wharton School research found that employees who feel appreciated work 50% harder.

💛 Gratitude reduces burnout

Gallup reports that regular recognition reduces burnout by up to 44%.

🤝 Gratitude strengthens teams

Harvard studies show gratitude increases trust, collaboration, and psychological safety.

In short:
Gratitude is good for people — and good for business.

How We Practice Gratitude at Winning Edge

Gratitude doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be consistent.

✔ Daily “Thank You’s”

Every day when someone leaves for the night, I say thank you.
It takes two seconds.
It means everything.

Work is a choice. And I never want to take their choice to be here for granted.

✔ Weekly “Thank a Teammate” Tradition

In our weekly Thursday team meeting, we go around the room and thank someone.

Maybe for:

jumping in on a deadline
helping troubleshoot a color
staying upbeat on a tough day
or simply being kind

Everyone leaves knowing:
“Someone noticed me this week.”

✔ Our Big-Check Anniversary Tradition

This year we introduced a tradition that has become a highlight:
A big check — $100 for every year an employee has been with us.

It creates joy, laughter, and pride — and it honors the simple truth:

Every year someone stays with you is a year they chose you. That deserves to be celebrated.

Here are two more milestones we celebrated this year:

Jeremy — 19 Years

*Celebrating Jeremy’s 19 years at Winning Edge — and as you can see, his teammates were VERY excited to help celebrate.*

Jeremy’s loyalty, leadership, humor, and deep knowledge shape this company every day.

Amanda — 1 Year

*Celebrating Amanda’s first full year with us — and her teammates brought plenty of enthusiasm to the moment!*

Whether it’s one year or nineteen, each milestone matters.
Each year is a piece of our story.

Why Gratitude Makes Leaders Better Too

Here’s what I’ve learned after 29 years:

When you express gratitude, your people grow.
When your people grow, your business grows.
And when your business grows, your life grows.

Gratitude keeps you grounded in:

people
relationships
culture
perspective
and what truly matters

It transforms leadership from managing tasks…
to uplifting humans.

A Thanksgiving Reminder

As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s the perfect moment to pause and ask:

Who made your job easier today?
Who stepped up without being asked?
Who quietly gives their best every single day?
Who deserves a “thank you” — right now?

Gratitude costs nothing.
But it changes everything.

To the entire team at Winning Edge Graphics:

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
You are the heart of this place, and I am grateful for every year — and every person — who chooses to be here.

Gratitude at Work