Newsletter Issue #1: The One Ingredient That Changes Everything — and Costs Nothing
Welcome to Buffet Bites!
Inspired by my book The Business Buffet: 15 Career Must-Haves They Never Teach — But Still Expect You to Know, this newsletter offers quick, thoughtful servings of leadership, communication, and culture.
Real stories. Practical takeaways. And a dash of humor.
Because work should feed you, not drain you.
To catch future articles, hit Follow here on LinkedIn. Always happy to swap ideas — my DMs are open.
Gratitude Isn’t Soft — It’s Strategy
Ever worked for a leader who treats “thank you” like it’s a limited resource? I have. And the less gratitude they show, the more they seem to need it.
In The Business Buffet, I call gratitude the foundational stock of leadership—the quiet base that gives everything else flavor.
It’s not glamorous. You can’t track it on a dashboard or plug it into a KPI. But you feel it the moment it’s gone—when even the best strategy starts to taste stale.
You sense it in the silence after a project ships, in the tension of a team that’s working hard but never feels seen. The work gets done, but the energy is gone.
Years ago, after a brutal quarter, I got a short email from a CEO that said:
“You made this easier than it should have been. Thank you.”
That line stuck with me for years. Not because it was eloquent—but because it was acknowledgment.
Recognition rewards results. Gratitude values the effort, even when the outcome doesn’t sparkle.
There’s a big difference between rewarding output and appreciating input. One motivates for a moment; the other builds connection that lasts.
Leaders who understand that difference build loyalty, not compliance.
Gratitude tells people: I see you. You matter. You’re part of the reason this works. It builds trust that outlasts any quarterly result—the kind money, titles, or dashboards can’t touch.
From Chapter 1 of The Business Buffet
The Foundational Stock
I’ve seen teams transform when leaders practice gratitude consistently — not performatively.
And it doesn’t take much:
• A thank-you that includes why it mattered.
• A note that says, “I noticed you caught that client issue early — it saved us a ton of pain.”
• A public shoutout that feels earned, not automated.
These small gestures change how teams operate. They turn “Why am I doing this?” into “Look what we pulled off.” They remind people they’re not just pieces in a process — they’re participants in a purpose.
The irony is that some leaders still avoid gratitude because they fear it softens their edge. But it’s the opposite. Gratitude doesn’t weaken authority... it strengthens it. Because trust and accountability rise in the same pot.
When you build trust into the foundation of your culture, people start seasoning the dish themselves. They take ownership. They communicate better. They show up with energy instead of exhaustion.
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about creating an environment where people want to find them with you. Gratitude is how you start.
Why Gratitude Works
When deadlines loom and stress is high, gratitude probably isn’t your first response. However, gratitude is more than just good manners; it's about perspective and personal well-being. It is a powerful agent of transformation in how you experience and influence your workplace—the foundational stock that flavors everything, from daily interactions to long-term career success.
Here are three core benefits of mastering appreciation in the workplace:
Brain Boost — Gratitude activates dopamine and serotonin, enhancing focus and decision-making while blocking toxic emotions like envy and resentment.
Team Chemistry — Wharton research shows teams with strong appreciation cultures outperform peers in engagement, satisfaction, and loyalty. Appreciation fuels trust; trust fuels results.
Performance Payoff — Organizations practicing consistent recognition report 31% lower turnover and stronger business outcomes. Gratitude isn't soft — it's strategic.
Try a Bite This Week
You don’t need to become the Dalai Lama of gratitude overnight; the goal is to develop a deliberate practice of finding light in darkness. The magic isn't in the knowing, it's in the doing, the failing, and the doing again.
🍴 The Gratitude Flip: Reframe challenges as opportunities by identifying three positives in every problem.
🍴 The Thank You Challenge: For the next five workdays, send one genuine and specific “thank you” message to a different colleague each day. Not “thanks for your work.” Try “Your idea in Tuesday’s meeting saved us three weeks of rework. That matters.”
🍴 The 'Glimmer' Hunt: Challenge yourself to notice three "glimmers"—small, often overlooked moments of joy, connection, or beauty. (Glimmers cue your nervous system toward safety and positivity.)
Gratitude multiplies when it’s modeled. Public appreciation gives your team permission to do the same.
A Final Thought
Gratitude is like salt. Too little, and everything tastes flat. Too much, and it feels artificial. But balanced just right—it brings out the best in everyone at the table.
If this resonated, share it with someone who adds flavor to your workday.
Want the full plate? The Business Buffet serves up 15 snackable lessons on leadership, communication, and growth—the real-world skills they never teach, but still expect you to know.
🍽️ Grab your copy at TheBusinessBuffetBook.com
Until next time... lead well and stay curious. — MT