Great Friends are a Gift. Thank you for Being my Friend.

It has been said that you are the product of the five people you spend the most time with. I am also convinced that you are the product of the many friendships that you have developed over your lifetime, those friends who fill your mind with possibilities and encouragement, who make you feel loved and inspired.

Truly great friends help you become the person you want to be.

Just recently, I had dinner with a dear friend, Jean-Luc Butel, who now lives in Singapore. He was visiting New York and I don’t get to see him very often, maybe every few years, but I value our friendship so much I turned down hockey tickets to the New Jersey Devils home opener for the season! That’s when you know you really love your friend (the Devil’s won 6-0 over the Flyers. Alas, missed that, but it was worth it.)

Tennessee Williams wrote, “Time doesn’t take away from friendship, nor does separation.” Amen. When Jean-Luc and I get together it’s like we have never been apart. I think of him as more than my friend, but my brother. I couldn’t stop smiling as we talked about life, family, friends, and faith. He gave me sage advice and I made him laugh. The time I spend with Jean-Luc is always energizing.

I’m sure you have friends like that. Aren’t they wonderful?

The meal was amazing. Delicious Italian (my favorite food on the planet) and his son joined us, who I have known since he was a kid. It was a joyful reunion, and I came away from the meeting feeling better about myself and energized about the future. That’s the power of a good friend. The connection made me realize how important it is to value my friendships, to reach out more often and not let years go by between the times when we see each other. Relationships this deep are more than just a chance to share a meal from time to time, they are chances to be with people who have shaped our lives. Friends like Jean-Luc have helped me become the person I am today.

The very funny Mindy Kaling said of friendship, “Real friends are the ones you can count on no matter what. The ones who go into the forest to find you and bring you home. And real friends never have to tell you that they’re your friends.” I love this quote because of the grain of truth in it. Your friends are always there for you, in good times and especially the bad.

My friend Harvard Professor Robert Waldinger writes in his book, The Good Life, that key to happy, healthy, and long lives are deep and meaningful relationships. I couldn’t agree more. On our podcast, “Anxiety at Work,” Bob shared a wonderful practice with me and Adrian Gostick. The good professor said that he looks at his calendar every week and schedules time with his friends. Breakfast, lunch, coffee time, and dinners are scheduled every week. How great is that? I have started that same practice, and it has made all the difference. My life is enriched by time with good people, smart and kind people, people I count as my friends.

I hope this short message inspires you to reach out to someone you love and care about, to spend some time with them. I hope they inspire you like my friend Jean-Luc inspired me the other day, and that you in turn will lift your friends up and make their days just a little brighter.

I would love to hear your stories of how your friends have enriched your life.

Thank you for taking the time to bring more gratitude into the world.

Love and gratitude,

The Gratitude Files???

Anxiety at Work podcast. Each week, my co-author and dear friend,?Adrian Gostick, and I are grateful for the opportunity to talk to leading authorities on mental health and explore the causes of workplace stress and anxiety, along with practices that are proven to reduce tension & cultivate calm.

Key Highlights: ??

• ?? The Essence of Situational Leadership: Leadership is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
• ????Building Trust: Trust isn't just about knowledge; it's built on caring behaviors.?
• ?? Empathy in Leadership:? the true mark of a leader lies in their ability to foster psychological safety, genuinely listen, and amplify the voices of their team.?

With us is our dear friend Suzie Bishop, who is vice president of the Center for Leadership Studies, an organization founded by Dr. Paul Hersey. CLS is the global home of the Situational Leadership Model develop by Hersey and Blanchard, and has trained more 15 million leaders worldwide.

Our Latest Work ??

I'm thrilled to introduce a project that reflects our passion and commitment to a great culture at work:

The Gratitude Habit, a 90-day guided journal curated by Adrian & Chester

This isn't merely a journal- it's a movement intended to fill our lives with heartfelt gratitude.

? Exclusive Pre-Sale Offer ?

When you pre-order 200+ copies of "The Gratitude Habit," you give your team a path to gratitude and an exclusive 30-minute conversation with Chester, who will share his insights on the heart of gratitude and its power to transform.

What makes "The Gratitude Habit" a Game-Changer?

?? A guided 90-day journey to discover gratitude

?? Boost team camaraderie, strengthen loyalty, and accelerate growth

?? More than a journal- its a catalyst for positive change

? P.S. - The regular price is $22.95, but when you pre-order 200+ copies, you get a special rate of $15.00 per copy. Email [email protected] to take advantage of this exclusive offer and book your session with Chester Elton

Visit?The Culture Works?for free resources including videos, podcast episodes, and more to help you build an "all in"?culture?of?gratitude.

Leading with Gratitude?& Anxiety at Work? are sold at fine bookstores everywhere.