What Happened To Gratitude? A Public Service Announcement
🚨 We interrupt our usual programming to bring you this Public Service Announcement. 🚨
What Happened to Gratitude? Yes, I've been asked that question. I made it clear in one email 🤭.
There's a leadership lesson right here...Don't miss it! Have you ever assumed that because YOU said (or wrote) something ONCE...that everybody on your team got the message? I really did mention this in ONE email. Now, I'm dedicated this edition of the IGFY Newsletter to the topic.
For everyone who's been wondering where gratitude fits in with all this talk about HOPE—breathe easy. My commitment to gratitude hasn't wavered one bit! If anything, it's stronger.
You see, we've always intertwined hope with gratitude in our work. At every Gratitude Encounter, you’ll hear me say, "HOPE grows IN Gratitude." That’s not just a catchy phrase—it's a principle that's deeply rooted in Hope Science.
Speaking of missing things...did you know that Hope Science is a thing? It's been around since the 80's.
Enter Hope Science
Here are the core tenets of C.R. Snyder's Hope Theory:
Goals: Snyder and his colleagues began with the assumption that human actions are goal-directed. Goals should be meaningful, whether short- or long-term, to inspire your imagination and motivate action. Goals don't always have to be Big Hairy and Audacious (BHAGs); overly ambitious goals can feel unreachable and unattainable. In Hope Theory, hope flourishes when you believe a goal is attainable. Breaking goals into actionable steps can help you find clarity in chaos.
Pathways Thinking: It's great to have goals. To have hope, you must also believe you (and your teammates) are capable of finding or creating workable routes to those goals. High-hope people and leaders believe there are multiple ways to "get there". And, if we encounter obstacles (which YOU will), you are capable of finding an alternate path. Rerouting is what your GPS calls it.
Agency Thinking: This is absolutely essential to the science of hope. Believing in your ability to act and navigate multiple pathways to achieve your goal and reach your destination. In other words -- WHAT YOU DO MATTERS! You can affect your situation.
Hope is not just a feeling...it's a powerful resource. Actually, it's a leadership skill. One you need to be mastering now.
Why Hope Matters [More] Now
As 2025 unfolded—or perhaps unraveled is the better word—you might be feeling the weight of uncertainty more than ever.
For me, it began with an email I received on January 4 from Andre Haddad, CEO of Turo following the horrific events in New Orleans and Las Vegas that coincidentally involved cars rented from Turo.
His words lodged in my heart: (I'm quoting from an email received on January 4).
2025 is off to an awful start. While I mourn today, I also remain committed to pioneering and sustaining a strong, secure, trustworthy marketplace for tomorrow.
Maybe you felt that sentiment resonate deeply.
By the end of February, I noticed people everywhere losing hope, teetering on the brink of despair. Maybe you've noticed it, or even felt it yourself. The Gallup Organization confirmed what many of us were sensing: their February 11 Global Leadership Report revealed that HOPE is what followers want most from their leaders now, with 56% of responses linking directly to hope.
This is where Hope Science becomes relevant, even vital, for you as a leader.
You don't just survive challenges—you innovate your way through them.
Think about it: When your team believes their goals are attainable, when they understand there are multiple ways to succeed (like that GPS that calmly announces "rerouting" when you hit an obstacle), and when they genuinely believe their actions make a difference—that's when transformation happens. That's when innovation thrives. That's when resilience becomes not just a buzzword, but a lived experience.
This isn't just about feeling better—it's about leading better.
In a world where uncertainty seems to be the only certainty, understanding and applying Hope Science might be the most practical leadership strategy you can employ.
Your Leadership Invitation
So, leaders, let me ask you:
How is hope trending on your team right now?
If it's low, recognize that this is a leadership imperative. Hope isn't a "nice-to-have"; it's essential for navigating these turbulent times.
If you need help boosting hope in your leadership or within your team, reach out. Here are a few ways I can assist:
Consultation: I'll work with you and your team to assess hope levels and develop hope-building strategies tailored to your situation.
Customized Journeys: Together, we'll create a personalized hope and gratitude journey for your leaders or team members.
Keynotes & Workshops: I offer engaging keynotes, interactive workshops, and can facilitate off-site events to inspire and equip your team.
Remember, as Napoleon Bonaparte said:
"A leader is a dealer in hope."
And as Norman Cousins wisely noted:
"The capacity for hope is the most significant fact of life. It provides human beings with a sense of destination and the energy to get started."
Let's ensure you're leading with hope—it's the energy needed to get started and the momentum to keep moving forward.
Ready to cultivate hope together?
Send me a message in my LinkedIn! Let's navigate this journey—Hope-Focused and Gratitude-Fueled—together.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOU!