How Gratitude Became My Growth Strategy
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
By Robin Dimond
In business, we often measure success by numbers: growth rates, revenue, client retention. But I’ve learned that the most sustainable growth begins with something less tangible: gratitude.
When I founded Fifth & Cor, I didn’t set out to create just another marketing company. I wanted to build a company where creativity and human connection coexist. Gratitude has been the heartbeat of that vision. It’s what turns challenges into lessons, clients into partners, and ideas into impact.
As leaders, it’s easy to focus on performance metrics, but gratitude transforms the why behind the work. When teams feel appreciated, they don’t just meet expectations, they exceed them. Gratitude nurtures a sense of belonging, and belonging fuels innovation.
One of the simplest yet most powerful practices I’ve implemented is starting every Monday meeting with appreciation. Each team member takes a moment to acknowledge someone who supported them the previous week. It shifts the energy in the room instantly reminding everyone that our work is a collective effort, not an individual race. Over time, this has not only strengthened our company culture but also increased collaboration, reduced burnout, and encouraged more open communication.
But gratitude isn’t just internal, it’s external, too. At Fifth & Cor, we approach every client relationship with the same intention: to serve, not to sell. Whether we’re building a campaign for a brand or helping a local business grow, we lead with thankfulness for the trust placed in us. That mindset has helped us attract long-term partnerships rooted in mutual respect and purpose.
Earlier this year, I launched The Cor Collective, a community built to connect with people who lead with heart, purpose, and intention. I wanted to create a space where gratitude becomes action: everyone lifting each other up, sharing lessons, and celebrating wins big and small. What started as a small gathering of entrepreneurs has evolved into a network of collaborators, mentors, and changemakers.
Every moment shared with this community reinforces that success multiplies when shared with gratitude.
To other women leading teams, here’s my advice: gratitude is not a soft skill, it’s a strategy.
Start with intention. Every meeting, email, or conversation is an opportunity to lead with acknowledgment. People remember how you make them feel more than what you ask of them.
Recognize publicly, appreciate privately. Public praise builds confidence, while private gratitude deepens trust. Both matter.
Turn setbacks into appreciation. When things go wrong, thank your team for their effort before finding the solution. It fosters resilience and accountability instead of fear.
Create rituals of recognition. Gratitude should be consistent, not occasional. Make it part of your culture, just like deadlines and deliverables.
As leaders, we have the power to redefine leadership not through authority, but through authenticity.
Gratitude reminds us that impact doesn’t come from doing it all, it comes from appreciating it all: the people, the process, and the purpose behind it.
Leadership grounded in gratitude doesn’t just change how we work; it changes why we work. And that, I believe, is where true growth begins.
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