Issue #412, November 26, 2025

Many leaders live in tomorrow—and miss the blessings of today.  While looking ahead and solving problems is a needed component of leadership, it can lead to a lack of appreciation for what is. Serving leaders learn to lead with gratitude. Consider Paul’s leadership:

³³ Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. ³⁴ Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” ³⁵ After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. ³⁶ They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves (Acts 27:33–36, NIV).

Paul was one of 275 passengers on this boat during a life-threatening storm. He has no position or title but leads the crew and passengers with his words of encouragement. Then, he pauses to give thanks—a powerful picture of leading with gratitude.

Leading with gratitude is a choice.

Paul took bread and “gave thanks to God in front of them all.” What could he give thanks for in this crisis? All around him was fear of the future and a sense of doom. We don’t know what he said, but perhaps he gave thanks that they were still alive, that they had bread to eat, and that they were not alone in the storm. Perhaps he thanked God for His presence or for the vision that gave him much hope a few days earlier. But whatever he said, Paul chose to give thanks. The choice to express gratitude refocused his attention and all those around him on their blessings instead of their fears.   

Some leaders look around and see problems on every side. They call their team for a meeting to solve the problems and address the issue. They have no time to stop and give thanks. But serving leaders choose to look beyond the problems and give thanks for what is good. Even when they lead a meeting to address challenges, they begin by publicly giving thanks as Paul did. They lead with gratitude.  

Leading with gratitude is concrete.  

Paul’s gratitude led to a concrete tangible action, “he broke it and began to eat.” He acknowledged that the sailors and passengers were physically hungry and would need some energy. He also understood that two weeks of watching the wind and the waves had taken an emotional toll and brought a sense of helplessness. So, he invited them to take a small but significant step of action over their own future.

Some leaders pause to give thanks, but don’t invite others to act on their gratitude. But serving leaders use gratitude as a call to action. They invite their team to give to others, to volunteer for a project or to write a note of appreciation. They lead with gratitude. 

Leading with gratitude is contagious.

Paul’s gratitude was contagious, “they were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.” Paul’s actions changed the atmosphere on the boat as people ate together for the first time in weeks. An attitude of gratitude is contagious; it impacts the lives of others and helps them to also give thanks.

All leaders impact others with their attitudes. Some leaders focus on the problems and ignore what is good. (They would do well to wear a mask that kept their attitude to themselves!) But serving leaders seek to have an attitude of gratitude and share it with everyone in the room. They lead with gratitude. 

For further reflection and discussion:

• Is my natural impulse to look at what could be or to be grateful for what is? How does this impact my leadership?
• In what current circumstances do I need to stop and focus on gratitude? How can I do this publicly?
• What can I do to demonstrate my gratitude in concrete ways? In what ways can I call my team to actions that express gratitude?
• What attitudes are spreading under my own leadership? What can I do to make a greater positive impact?           

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

In the next issue, we’ll focus on incarnational leadership, a Christmas theme.