What Gratitude Actually Looks Like in a Digital World Elizabeth Holloway Strategy 5 mins read October 13, 2025 Blog Strategy What Gratitude Actually Looks Like in a Digital World What Gratitude Actually Looks Like in a Digital World - Table of Contents What’s changed about gratitude Why gratitude is still worth the effort What gratitude looks like today What’s the takeaway? Fall is here with its pumpkin spice everything. For us Canadians, that means it’s Thanksgiving already and this year we’re not just thinking about what we’re thankful for, but how we can show our gratitude without the normal performative-style thank yous that flood people’s feeds and inboxes this time of year. We have at our disposal a thousand different ways to reach out and say thank you, but somehow we often end up defaulting to the impersonal. Whether it’s a quick social post, email blast, or scheduled messages sent out to thousands, they rarely carry the weight of true appreciation. If we want our words of thanks to matter, we need to reimagine how we express them in our digital-first world. Real gratitude, the kind that has an impact, takes presence, specificity, and a willingness to let go of templates. If you want your thanks to mean something to people, it’s time to give up the shortcuts and focus on what feels authentic. What’s changed about gratitude Gratitude once lived in slower spaces. It was a handwritten note, a phone call made at the end of the day, or a face-to-face thank-you that lingered. These gestures mattered because they were deliberate. They carried weight not only in what was said but in the pause it required to say it. Today, gratitude is often squeezed into the margins. A quick “thanks” dropped into a Slack channel, a thumbs-up emoji on a late-night email, or a nod of recognition during a Zoom call all count, but they vanish as quickly as they arrive. Automation has added another layer, filling inboxes with templated thank-you messages or chatbot replies. The intention may be efficiency, yet the experience can feel hollow when words skim the surface rather than touch the heart. Social media has made gratitude visible, but also performative. A polished post thanking employees or donors can build awareness, yet without a private note or personal follow-up, it risks feeling like a spotlight rather than a relationship. None of this means gratitude matters less. It means we need to be more intentional, so our thanks cut through the noise of digital life and land as something real. Why gratitude is still worth the effort It is often the simplest expression of thanks that shapes how people feel about us, our work, and our organizations.When someone feels genuinely appreciated, they remember it. That memory influences how they show up, how they speak about us, and how long they choose to stay connected. You can’t put a price on that kind of impact. For teams, gratitude builds culture. Recognition helps people see that their contributions matter, which fuels trust and loyalty in ways no quarterly target ever could. For customers, clients, or donors, gratitude becomes the foundation of long-term relationships. A supporter who feels valued is more likely to return, to advocate, and to deepen their commitment. At a time when trust feels fragile, gratitude is one of the few currencies that grows stronger the more it is shared. It costs little, yet its impact can be profound. By choosing to notice, to name, and to acknowledge others, we remind them that behind the technology and the metrics, there is still a human being who sees them. What gratitude looks like today Gratitude is not about finding the right script. It’s about intention. When we slow down long enough to notice someone’s effort, their care, or their presence, we have a chance to let them know it matters. The form it takes will vary, but the heart behind it is what people feel. Specific. The most meaningful thank-yous are rooted in detail. Instead of a generic “thanks for your help,” you might say, “thank you for staying late to fix the client deck, it made all the difference in this morning’s presentation.” The extra words show that you saw the person, not just the outcome. Timely. Gratitude lands best when it is close to the moment. A note at the end of the year can carry weight, but a message offered in the moment lets someone know their contribution mattered right then. It turns appreciation into encouragement. Visible. Sometimes gratitude belongs in a private note. Other times, it grows stronger when shared in front of others. A team shoutout in a meeting, a LinkedIn mention, or a spotlight in a donor newsletter can affirm someone in ways that ripple beyond the one-to-one exchange. Reciprocal. True gratitude is an opening, not a conclusion. When we thank someone and then create space for them to share their own reflections, it shifts from transaction to connection. It becomes a dialogue that deepens trust. At its core, gratitude today is not about what channel you use or how polished your words sound. It is about choosing to pause, to notice, and to acknowledge in a way that feels honest. The sincerity of the intention is what makes the expression real. What’s the takeaway? Canadian Thanksgiving is a reminder to slow down and pay attention. Gratitude isn’t about grand gestures or perfect wording. It’s about pausing long enough to notice the people around us and letting them know they matter. In our digital world, where speed and efficiency often win, a sincere thank-you stands out. It can strengthen a relationship, rebuild trust, or simply brighten someone’s day. The form doesn’t matter as much as the intention behind it. So this week, whether it’s in a meeting, a message, or a handwritten note, look for a chance to express thanks in a way that feels genuine. It’s a small practice, but it carries weight. And in times when connection feels fragile, that weight can make all the difference. Share This Article Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Other articles you might like How to Use AI in Your Business Without Burning Out Your Team Mohamed Hamad AI 6 mins read October 27, 2025 Representation Without Redistribution Is Just Optics Julie Savaria Strategy 4 mins read October 20, 2025 What the Heck Is Schema Markup (and Why It’s the Secret to Surviving AI Search) Elizabeth Holloway Development 6 mins read October 6, 2025 Truth First: Reflections on Reconciliation From a Non-Indigenous Team Elizabeth Holloway Strategy 6 mins read September 29, 2025 Team Work Expertise Digital Marketing Branding Web HubSpot CRM WunderLand Blog Book a Call Book a Call Search this website
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