A personal note of gratitude

Studies have shown that our brains engage differently when we write something by hand. Taking pen to paper allows us to slow down and reflect more deeply – and that’s why I have always felt that a handwritten note is a personal gift of our thoughts imparted to another. A gift that helps build stronger personal connections between sender and recipient.

Last November, I sent a handwritten note to all 5,721 of my US partners, managing directors and directors to offer my simple, but heartfelt, thanks for all that they do every day for our firm, our clients, and our people. We have been navigating through historic times – and these seemingly small acts of gratitude remind us that by supporting each other, and working together as one team, we will remain resilient and emerge stronger for our shared experience.

I also sent blank postcards to each of my fellow leaders so that they, too, may send small tokens of appreciation and encouragement to their teams and colleagues. I’ve been truly touched and inspired by the swell of gratitude that has flowed through these notes.

To give one example, Chris Massouras and our Transformation Design and Execution team have delivered over 300 personal notes of gratitude to their team members, personally thanking them for their resiliency and the courage to lead they have demonstrated over the past year.

In another example, Beth Jarlock, a leader in our Healthcare Provider Supply Chain team, sends over 80 handwritten notes to her team on a bi-weekly basis to keep everyone connected and feeling appreciated.  

There are countless other examples, and if you have received or sent these notes of gratitude, I encourage you to share your comments below to serve as inspiration to others, and to remind us of the positive impact acts of gratitude can have on one another.

It’s these gestures of kindness and empathy for one another that will enable us to grow and continue to strengthen our culture of belonging – and it’s my hope that the cascade of gratitude will extend even beyond the EY family.

And in the spirit of extending gratitude, on this Memorial Day weekend, we are providing Thursday and Friday off for our US professionals to take a five-day break, to disconnect from work obligations, and reconnect with what matters most to them. To reflect, to remember, and to realize – how much we’ve overcome, and how much we have to be grateful for.

It’s also a time to reflect and honor our courageous military service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We pay tribute to our fallen heroes for their immeasurable sacrifices to protect and defend our freedom.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.