Five Reasons It Pays to Show Professional Gratitude

As the year winds down, I find myself reflecting on the people, experiences, and partnerships that shaped my professional journey. In a fast-moving world, it’s easy to rush to the next task, the next win, or the next challenge—but the course of my journey over the past year in particular reminds me of the power of?pausing?to show gratitude.

Gratitude isn’t just for personal relationships—it’s a game-changer in the professional world, too. Here's why:

1. Gratitude strengthens partnerships. A simple “thank you” can reinforce trust and collaboration. Whether it’s a teammate who saved the day or a partner who brought out your best, showing appreciation strengthens those bonds and builds a foundation for future success.

2. It’s a great way to own (and share) success. Big wins are rarely accomplished by a lone individual. Showing gratitude lets you acknowledge the village behind your victories. By sharing credit, you make your success more inclusive and inspire others to do the same.

3. Gratitude builds resilience. When challenges arise, gratitude shifts your mindset. Recognizing what you’ve learned—and those who helped you navigate rough waters—turns obstacles into opportunities for growth.

4. It makes you memorable (in a good way.) People remember those who make them feel seen and valued. Gratitude fosters positive connections and builds your professional reputation as someone who leads with humility and humanity.

5. Gratitude comes full circle. The energy you put into the world comes back in unexpected ways. Showing professional gratitude isn’t just about recognition—it’s about creating a culture of appreciation that lifts everyone higher.

A Personal Note of Thanks

In the interests of practicing what I preach, I’d like to take a moment to express my gratitude to some incredible people who have played meaningful roles in my career and professional life:

• To the people who gave me my start—undying gratitude to amazing people like Aimee Levine , Sherri Lindenberg , Susan Melamud , and Madeleine Hope for opening the first doors in my career path and believing in me when I was just getting started.
• To those who gave me a big break or opportunity—I owe so much to people like Michele Trogni , Christine Elliott , John Goyanes , Michael Fraccaro and Ronald E. (Ron) Garrow , who saw something in me and took a chance that changed the trajectory of my career.
• To my mentors and sponsors—thank you for pulling me aside, pushing me forward, and showing me what was possible. Thinking of amazing folks like Edward Barbini , Kerri Warner , Armand Alvarez , Shamina Singh , Ken Litton , Donald Chesnut , Michael C. Bush , Jill Cress , David Deacon , Mike Hinn , and John Stepper . I’ll always be grateful for your candid advice and relentless support.
• To my trusted confidantes and close partners—those who were there through the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Adam Shoer , Sabine Smith, CPCC, PCC, PMP , Luke Shane , Amir Sadiq , Jawanda Staber , Latoya Bennett-Johnson , Anthony Venutolo , Jessica McFarlane, MA , Damon Montal , Lori Walters , Alex Lambert , Rebecca Kaufman , Danielle Krischik , Alicia Simmons , Nicole Ward , Lauren Ottulich , Avni Patel , Izabela Teixeira , Lisa Kunze , Sara Mandel , Carl Knitzer , Bina Philip , Juliana Pozzi , and Michael Lan ?— thank you all. Your honesty, loyalty, and partnership kept me grounded and moving forward.
• To my new colleagues at Kyndryl —you’ve embraced me, supported me, and made me feel like one of your own from day one. Special shout-out to Kimberly Basile , Una Pulizzi, Jenny Galitz McTighe and Elaine Hinsdale for making this chapter in my career journey possible. Joining this team has truly been a highlight of my year, and I can’t wait to see what we’ll build together in 2025.

As we close out this year, I encourage each of you to hit pause, reflect, and show gratitude to those who have made a difference in your career.?Who are you grateful for this year??Let’s start a wave of appreciation—drop a comment or tag someone who deserves a shout-out!

?

About the Author

Arthur Baker is a seasoned communications professional with 20+ years of experience helping leaders and organizations build authentic connections that matter. He currently serves as Associate Director, CIO Communications at Kyndryl, where he partners with IT leadership to engage employees and enhance executive communications. Whether advising C-Suite executives or crafting narratives to drive employee engagement, Arthur leans into the power of partnership to turn strategic goals into stories that stick. He’s a firm believer that success is built on the right relationships. From corporate comms to employee engagement, Arthur advocates for the power of bringing people together to produce winning results and build reputations that last.