Grateful Leaders, Thriving Teams

Hello Reader, What a joy to welcome you to another edition of the IGFY Newsletter. Have you ever had one of those days when everything that could go wrong, did go wrong? You know, those days when the weight of the world feels especially heavy, and you're left wondering how to navigate through it all. And yet, in the midst of it, a surprising moment of clarity reveals a different story. Can you believe we marked the five-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic this week? WOW! Reflecting on...

Hello and Happy Saturday Reader, Have you ever wondered what separates fleeting wishful thinking from genuine, energizing hope? Psychologists have identified a key element: agency - the belief that your actions can meaningfully influence outcomes. This sense of agency is what transforms passive optimism into active hope that drives real change. In this seventh video, we explore psychologist C.R. Snyder's groundbreaking research showing that true hope requires two essential components:•...

Hey Reader, How's your hope lately? If you're like most people, your sense of hope has taken a hit during the first months of 2025. That's why we've launched our Hope Multipliers series—and why I'm excited to invite you to something special. Our latest video, "Hope Grows in Gratitude," reveals a powerful truth we've confirmed through years of research: hope actually flourishes in the soil of gratitude. When we shift our focus from what's missing to what's present, we create the perfect...

Howdy-ho Reader, Have you ever felt frustrated or angry when a project stalled or someone disappointed you at the worst time? Please tell me I'm not the only one! 😉 You’ve been there, right? When tensions run high, and it feels like you're facing one hurdle after another, what do you do? It's so easy to focus on the negative; it's how we're wired. What might be different if you deployed gratitude to that situation? Gratitude Move 1: Deploying Gratitude Gratitude Moves™ is a series exploring...

Hello Reader, What do you do with your brokenness—your weaknesses, your 'failures,' your shortcomings? It's a question that invites deep reflection and vulnerability. Perhaps, like me, you've been part of communities where brokenness and weakness were neither understood nor valued. These are the places Henri Nouwen describes as "a talent show in which we dazzle the world with our combined gifts." In such settings, we often feel compelled to hide our struggles to maintain our sense of...

Hi there Reader, Have you ever watched someone's eyes dim when a leader makes yet another promise everyone knows won't be kept? That's hope being stolen right before your eyes. And the most dangerous part? Many leaders don't even realize they're the thieves. In today's Video 4 of our Hope Multiplier series, In this session, we will discuss Hope Stealers—leaders whose broken promises undermine trust and diminish our hope. As the ancient proverb wisely states, "Hope deferred makes the heart...

Hello and Happy Thursday Reader, In challenging times, what's the one thing your team needs most from you? According to Napoleon Bonaparte and recent Gallup research, the answer is clear: HOPE. Our latest Hope Multipliers video tackles a critical leadership question: Are YOU a dealer in hope? Maybe you've heard a leader say, "Hope is not a strategy." To which I reply, "But if your strategy doesn't generate hope, it's fundamentally flawed and doomed to fail." The most well-crafted plans can...

Hello Reader, What if the "thank you" you've been saying at work is only scratching the surface of gratitude's true power? Maybe we've been doing gratitude wrong. 🤦🏻♂️ That simple "thanks" in the hallway? It's like trying to prepare a gourmet meal with just one spice. I'm thrilled to share our latest blog post that reveals how intentional gratitude can be your secret weapon for workplace transformation: Master the Art of Gratitude: Introducing The Gratitude Moves Framework™ Like a master chef...

Hello Reader, In the hustle and bustle of daily life, how much energy and emotion is spent (wasted) making judgments about others? What about reacting to those judgments, debating them, or amplifying arguments? It's exhausting, isn't it? Recently, while searching for the video of a song I wanted to enjoy, I stumbled upon videos full of controversy…jammed packed with judgments. That unexpected detour took me back decades, reminding me of a time when judging wasn't the burden it later...

Hello Reader, I hope this message finds you well and thriving. This week's IGFY Newsletter explores something I'm particularly excited to share with you all: The Ripple Effect: How Gratitude Enhances Trust and Collaboration We've all experienced moments when a simple "thank you" shifted the energy in a conversation or relationship. But did you know there's fascinating research behind how gratitude creates a ripple effect throughout teams and organizations? In this week's deep dive, I explore:...