On Earth Day, we shared the Growth Seed, the first seed of Leadership Seeds—Harvesting the Transformative Lessons of Macie and the Magic Veggies.

As we move closer to the release of Macie and the Magic Veggies, I wanted to preview the next seed: the “Gratitude Seed.”

Gratitude Seed – Cultivate Abundant Gratitude

In Macie and the Magic Veggies, Macie expresses her joy and appreciation for the colorful and nutritious vegetables that fill her world. Her spontaneous gratitude for these veggies underscores a fundamental leadership quality: the ability to appreciate and value what we have.

In leadership, as in life, the power of gratitude is profound. It’s about more than just saying “thank you.” Gratitude is a transformative force that enhances our personal and professional lives, making us more resilient and open-hearted.

The key lesson for leaders is to foster a sense of gratitude within themselves and their team for the talent, knowledge, skills, experience, and resources already present in their work environment. Gratitude helps leaders focus their efforts on available resources, reducing the distractions caused by desiring what they do not have.

When I first ventured into writing Macie and the Magic Veggies, the world of children’s books was a vast unknown to me. Feeling overwhelmed by my perceived lack of industry knowledge and tempted to seek external expertise, I took a different approach. I connected with friends and colleagues who shared their insights and helped me recognize the value of my own storytelling skills, honed across different contexts but underestimated in this new field.

This outreach was transformative. It led me to mentors and collaborative opportunities that deepened my appreciation for the collective wisdom available within my network. Shifting focus from what I lacked to what was available helped me navigate initial uncertainties, strengthened my relationships, and made me more resourceful.

Here’s how you can plant and nurture this seed in your leadership journey: 

Reflect and Recognize-

Take a moment each day to reflect on the aspects of your life and work for which you’re thankful, such as a sunny day, a productive meeting, or your team’s hard work.

Express and Share-

Actively express your gratitude. Share your appreciation with your team and encourage them to do the same. This simple act builds a culture of acknowledgment and positivity that can dramatically lift team spirit and engagement.

Incorporate and Encourage-

Make gratitude a part of your organizational culture. Encourage team members to start meetings with a quick round of gratitude sharing or maintain a ‘gratitude board’ where everyone can post notes of thanks for each other’s efforts and contributions.

As we celebrate the beauty and bounty around us, let’s also remember to cultivate that rich soil of gratitude. It’s about seeing the good in the small things and understanding that abundance comes in many forms, including the support we give and receive from each other.

💬 I’d love to hear your stories about how gratitude has transformed your team’s environment or leadership style. How do you cultivate an attitude of gratitude in your day-to-day life?

Let’s grow together in gratitude! 🥕🍅🥦

Peter Contardo

PS – In the spirit of gratitude, I’m incredibly thankful for everyone who supported this book. Your engagement and feedback make this writing journey so enriching and worthwhile. Here’s to many more shared stories and lessons! ✨