What Happens When Leaders Choose Appreciation As Their Strategy

Send us Fan MailWhat looks like waste to some can be the wisest investment a leader makes. We open with a candid debrief from the road—hours spent at the Flight 93 National Memorial and a surprising tour beneath the Greenbrier’s halls—before shifting into John 12, where Mary breaks open a year’s wages to honor Jesus. That single act challenges our reflex to measure value only by spreadsheets and speed. Vision often looks wasteful to the uninspired, and yet those “inefficient” choices—gratitude, presence, and personalization—are the seeds of durable culture.We get practical fast. When budgets are tight, appreciation becomes strategic currency: handwritten notes on work anniversaries, a small, thoughtful gift that says “I see you,” public recognition that elevates character as much as output, and blocked time to simply walk the floor and listen. We unpack the difference between rewarding performance and honoring people, why leaders must know names and stories, and how consistent, low-cost gestures compound into trust. Along the way, we look at the plot against Lazarus and the triumphal entry to illustrate how pressure, popularity, and distractions test mission clarity.There’s a reason John devotes nearly half his Gospel to the final days of Jesus’ life. Focus intensifies when stakes rise. We explore how to fight drift by naming the few priorities that drive most outcomes, moving even when conditions aren’t perfect, and building momentum through small steps. We even leave room for joy—yes, dad jokes and an unexpected owl cameo—because a light touch helps teams breathe in heavy seasons.If you’re ready to honor people, protect the mission, and turn vision into daily habits, this conversation will give you tools you can use today. Subscribe, share with a leader who needs encouragement, and leave a review to tell us how you’re practicing appreciation this week.