Leaning Into Gratitude: Embracing Positivity with Purpose
Remember the last time you were in a meeting and felt the urge to draw back, either physically stepping away or mentally retreating into judgment?
It's a natural reaction when faced with tension or disagreement. But imagine this: what if, instead of pulling away, you chose to lean into these moments with gratitude?
Welcome to "Leaning Into Gratitude," part of our "Gratitude Moves™" series: Strategic Ways to Activate Gratitude's Power. Leaning into Gratitude is about transforming moments of withdrawal into opportunities for connection and growth. It all starts with leaning in, both literally and metaphorically, and begins with the powerful act of pausing.
Viktor Frankl famously said,
Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.
This space between stimulus and response is where gratitude can flourish.
Unpacking the Move
Leaning into gratitude involves transcending the instinct to judge and withdraw, making a conscious choice to engage with appreciation instead. Whether you’re interacting one-on-one or in a group setting, this move opens up new pathways for understanding and connection.
In a One-on-One Context: In personal interactions, leaning into gratitude means that when you're tempted to pull back in judgment, you pause to actively listen and look for opportunities to appreciate the individual's contributions, qualities, or intentions. This might involve recognizing a colleague's effort, valuing a friend's perspective, or finding common ground in a disagreement. By focusing on the positive, you’re fostering trust and encouraging open communication.
In a Group Setting: When applied in group dynamics, leaning into gratitude allows teams to harmonize around shared values and strengths. Instead of retreating in moments of disagreement or tension, you invite the group to collectively pause and choose to acknowledge the positives each member brings. This practice nurtures an inclusive and collaborative environment where new ideas are celebrated, and challenges are faced together.
By applying this Gratitude Move, you’re not just shifting your own perspective—you’re inviting others to see through a lens of possibility and shared purpose, amplifying the positive impact across your network.
Where and When to Apply
Apply this move the next time someone does something that triggers you, and your initial response is to retreat. Consider this: pause in that space, lean into gratitude, and search for something positive about the person or situation. It’s within this deliberate choice that we find growth and freedom, making it a powerful tool for positive engagement.
How to Practice This Move
Pause Instead of Judging: When tension arises, take a moment to breathe, setting aside judgment.
Recognize the Trigger: Notice your instinct to lean away and use it as an invitation to pause.
Set a Gratitude Intention: Decide to find and acknowledge one positive aspect of the person or situation.
Invite Others: Encourage your team or conversation partner to join you in this gratitude practice.
Acknowledge Aloud: Identify and express appreciation for genuine positives, whether it’s someone’s effort, a lesson learned, or a new insight.
Invitation to Action
This week, identify a situation where your first instinct is to pull back. Choose to pause in the space between stimulus and response, and lean into gratitude instead.
Invite those involved to join you in seeing the positives that might be obscured by initial perceptions. Set reminders to help maintain your focus on gratitude throughout your interactions.
Notice the impact of this shift on your relationships and personal outlook. What new insights or opportunities arise?
I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOU!