Leadership Through Gratitude: Thanking My Community
As we head into Thanksgiving week, my heart is full of gratitude for this community and the journey we’ve shared. Leadership, for me, hasn’t always looked like it does today.
When I first started building teams, it was all about the ranks, the structure, the strategy, and building fast. And gosh, that burnt me out. I chased goals, checked boxes, and pushed myself hard because I thought that’s what great leaders did.
But what I’ve learned, especially as I approach my one-year anniversary with Heritage Club, is that leadership is done better with slowing down because slowing down can actually help you speed up.
It’s done with grace. It’s done with no pressure. It’s done by doing the things that you want to do, in the way you want to do them.
It’s about finding what works for you, not chasing what works for everyone else. And most importantly, it’s about other people! Truly caring about their growth, their peace, and their purpose.
And building this way has brought me closer to the deep core of who I really am.
I realized that for a long time, I was trying to be someone else. Looking to other leaders and trying to act like them, think like them, even lead like them.
But at the core of who I am, I’m someone who loves slowing down with other people, having fun, chasing dreams, celebrating wins, and doing all of it with people I truly love and care about.
This past year has reminded me that slowing down and leading with intention creates more growth, not less. Leading with gratitude brings peace, perspective, and connection. It turns work into purpose and teammates into family.
If you’ve been following along in my Leadership & Business series, you might also enjoy reading Small Actions That Lead to Big Impact. It’s a reminder that the little things we do with consistency often create the biggest transformation.
Why Gratitude Changes Everything
Gratitude builds trust faster than any system ever could.
When you lead with gratitude, people feel seen. When you take time to appreciate someone’s effort, they feel valued. And when your community knows they matter, they grow with you. Not because they have to, but because they want to.
It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers, the goals, and the next big milestone, but gratitude pulls you back to what matters most, the people!
Every customer who trusted you, every teammate who showed up on a Zoom, every person who reached out when they needed encouragement. They’re all part of your impact story.
And that’s something worth pausing to celebrate.
How I Practice Gratitude as a Leader
Gratitude doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to be consistent. Here are a few simple ways I try to keep gratitude at the center of my leadership.
Send a handwritten note or message to a team member who made your day.
Publicly acknowledge someone’s hard work or growth.
Pray over your team and the people you’re meant to reach.
Pause before every meeting to think of one thing you’re thankful for.
End your day by writing down three things that went right, even if they’re small.
Those small acts of appreciation build stronger relationships and a stronger culture.
If this message spoke to you, you’ll also love 5 Ways to Inspire and Motivate Your Team Without Feeling Pushy. It’s all about leading others with heart, belief, and encouragement.
To my community , my team, my customers, my friends, and my family THANK YOU!!
Thank you for believing in me, trusting me, and walking beside me. Thank you for showing up, for sharing your stories, and for reminding me why this mission matters.
You are the heart behind everything I do.
I pray that this week fills you with joy, peace, and moments that remind you just how loved and capable you are.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of my journey!
Love,
LA
