Gratitude Matters - Michelle Sine

By Michelle Sine, CFO, MSBO Boad Member, Associate Superintendent of Business & Operations, Charlotte Public Schools

“Why does expressing gratitude really matter?” I found myself asking that question several times during a particularly rough few weeks at work. We all experience times when the environment around us makes it easy to get caught up in negative thoughts. But those moments also give us an opportunity to ask a different question: “What can I do to make a positive difference?”

I began thinking about how I could uplift those around me while also shifting my own mindset to something more uplifting, energizing, and positive. As I reflected on those questions, I was reminded of the importance of gratitude and the impact it can have on both ourselves and others.

Expressing genuine gratitude through appreciation and recognition can help reduce stress and strengthen our connections with others. Because prolonged stress can contribute to employee burnout, even small moments of appreciation can make a difference in how people feel about their work and their workplace. Research suggests that gratitude and positive social interactions can support emotional well-being, strengthen relationships, and foster a greater sense of connection. In the workplace, these connections can help build trust, increase engagement, and contribute to employee satisfaction and retention.

So, how can we make gratitude a more intentional part of our daily routines? Here are a few ideas to get you thinking about what might work for you and your team.

Friday Five: Take five minutes at the end of each Friday to send five notes of gratitude to team members across your district. Want to take it up a notch? Make it a team effort and encourage others to participate!

10-Minute Gratitude Walk: Spend 10 minutes visiting a building or location where you do not normally spend much time. Look for opportunities to recognize the great work happening around you, then share that appreciation right away through an email, an in-person conversation, or a handwritten note.

Taking It Home: Send a handwritten postcard or card to an employee at home. That small, extra effort can make a lasting impression on the employee and even bring a smile to others in their household. I know I get excited when there is something in my mailbox other than a bill or political ad!

One Up: When offering positive feedback, consider including the employee’s supervisor. This gives the employee an added opportunity to feel recognized while also helping the supervisor reinforce and celebrate that positive contribution.

Appreciation Station: Set up a cart or station in a staff lounge with sticky notes, thank-you cards, postcards, stickers, pens, and other supplies. Encourage staff to write positive messages recognizing something special about a colleague. Collect the notes in a box and, on a designated day each week, invite someone to deliver them to a team member.

Hide and Seek: Does your team thrive on a little friendly competition? Hide small notes of encouragement or positive affirmation around your office or building and make a game out of finding them. It is a fun way to encourage interaction and leave people with a positive reminder that they matter.

Regardless of the approach you choose, the most important part of expressing gratitude is authenticity. A meaningful expression of recognition is specific, sincere, and connected to the impact someone has made. Instead of simply saying, “I appreciate the work you do,” try saying, “That form you created was fantastic! It will really help streamline our process. Great work!” When people understand what they did well and why it mattered, the recognition becomes much more meaningful. And, don’t disregard the positive impact general expression of appreciation can have on a broader group such as an entire department or team, showing this type of appreciation also matters.

Recently, someone shared with me that they still had a handwritten note I had sent them a couple of years earlier. Hearing that was a powerful reminder that a small gesture can have a lasting impact. This “reverse” expression of gratitude gave me renewed motivation to be more intentional about recognizing and celebrating others.

I also realized that I need to be just as intentional about nurturing my own positive mindset as I am about encouraging others. By making a conscious effort to recognize what is working well and celebrate the good things happening around me, I hope to break out of the negative spiral that can accompany periods of high stress.

I hope you will join me in this effort! Perhaps we can start a positivity thread on the MSBO Exchange to share ideas, celebrate the great work happening across our districts, and encourage one another along the way.

Please take time to find joy in each day, look for opportunities to recognize those around you, and remember that even a small act of gratitude can make a meaningful difference.

And finally, thank YOU for the meaningful work you do for our students and communities!

Gratitude Matters – Michelle Sine

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