The Quiet Magic of Gratitude (Sunday Thoughts)
The Quiet Magic of Gratitude (Sunday Thoughts)
There’s an old Grimm story, which was a favorite of mine as a child, The Elves and the Shoemaker, that still has a lot to say to modern leaders.
A shoemaker is honest and skilled, but he’s reached the point so many professionals dread: he has almost nothing left. One final piece of leather. One last chance to keep the work going. He cuts it carefully, determined to finish the shoes the next morning.
Overnight, someone finishes them for him, beautifully.
He sells the shoes. He buys more leather. It happens again. Gradually, his situation changes, not through a dramatic “overnight success” story, but through repeated small wins that rebuild confidence, reputation, and income.
But the part that warms my heart isn’t the mystery help. It’s the response.
When the shoemaker finally discovers who helped, he doesn’t turn it into a transaction. He doesn’t cling. He doesn’t demand more. He offers gratitude that has substance: warm clothes and sturdy little shoes made with care.
If you’re leading a team, running a firm, or building a business, this tale offers three practical reminders:
Keep the standard high when resources are low
What you do in the tight season becomes your reputation in the growth season.
Notice the “invisible contributors.”
Progress is rarely a solo act. It’s often the quiet chain of people who catch errors, hold the line, create space, and steady you when you wobble.
Make gratitude practical
A meaningful thank-you isn’t just a compliment. It can be clarity, protection, flexibility, recognition, better systems, fair pay, or simply time and attention.
This week, consider one question:
Who is quietly making your work possible right now, and what would a practical “thank you” look like?
If this resonates, please share it with someone who might need the reminder.
More leadership reflections and executive coaching support (US + UK) at www.petergourri.com. If you’d like to meet, you can book a conversation here: https://calendly.com/petergourri-coaching/success
#pgcc #website #socialmedia #leadership
