The ROI of Gratitude

If you’ve spent any time in business, you’ve definitely heard the phrase “return on investment” more times than you can count. But here’s a metric that doesn’t make it into most reports… gratitude. Yes, you heard me right.

It might not live on a spreadsheet, but it has a serious impact.

In the office, we’ve seen it play out again and again. It’s the handwritten thank-you note after a big project, the client who checks in just to say, “Appreciate you, ” or the team member who recognizes someone for going the extra mile. None of these things cost much except for time, but they create something you can’t buy. We’re talking about connection.

And yes, there’s data behind it. Studies show that people who feel appreciated are more engaged, more productive, and more likely to stay. The Harvard Business Review even found that a simple expression of thanks can increase motivation by over 50 percent. Turns out, gratitude really does have an ROI.

But the best part? It’s contagious.

When leaders model appreciation, it spreads like wildfire. Teams lift each other up. Clients feel it, too. Suddenly, the culture shifts from transactional to relational; from “what do we need to do?” to “how can we make this great together?” And honestly… that makes work so much more fun.

So as we head into Thanksgiving, we’re taking stock not just of our projects, but of the people behind them. We thank the clients who trust us, the teammates who make magic happen, and the partners who help us tell stories worth sharing.

Gratitude might not show up on your balance sheet, but it will absolutely show up in your results.

So here’s our little November reminder: take a minute to say thank you and mean it. Because when it comes to appreciation, the return is always worth the investment.