On Thanksgiving and Every Day, I am Grateful

As the nation prepares to celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, I find myself thinking about all that I have to be thankful for.

My faith, family, friends and health are top of mind, but I am also incredibly grateful for all of the associates, guests, owners and franchisees who supported Marriott International over these last 20 months of the pandemic. It has been a difficult time for all of us.

Given the world’s challenges, it is so important that we take the time to acknowledge people and good service when we receive it. So many are battling illness, stress or any number of issues. A simple act of kindness can go a long way.

I was raised in the 1930s and 1940s. Handwritten thank you notes were the norm and they were expected as a basic courtesy. These days, an email will suffice, I guess. ?For me, I have never stopped writing handwritten notes. When I was CEO, I would write 700 notes a year – to associates, to customers or people whose achievements caught my attention. I would congratulate associates on promotions or work anniversaries or often, for a job well done. Every day, I would turn to a pile of notecards on my desk. There was always someone to thank or encourage. It warms my heart that so many of those recipients tell me they have held on to those notes over the years.

Phone calls are an impactful choice too. Every year, I call some of our biggest customers to thank them for their business. I like surprising the people who are managing global travel bookings or meetings and events at large corporations or business associations. They are not expecting my calls, but they all seem delighted by the gesture.

Tomorrow, I will sit down with my family for turkey and all the trimmings. There will be laughter and watching football. Most importantly, there will be gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving.