Gratitude: An Important Form of Communication

We communicate with each other in so many different ways… a topic we write about all the time. Our words, facial expressions, body language, how we speak, WHEN we speak, the way we listen, the way we behave… all of these things are communicating messages out all the time. And since this is Thanksgiving week in the United States, I want all of us to remember that our measure and expression of gratitude is also a message we should be communicating out to the people around us.

This has been on my mind a lot lately, because The Latimer Group is wrapping up its fifteenth year of operations… a milestone for any business. I often am reminded that 85% of small businesses don’t make it past year two. So fifteen years is something to be proud of.

But our existence and whatever success we may have had is the sum total of the work, advice and counsel, referrals, ideas and encouragement of many people. Our message, and my message in particular, right now is one of gratitude. As my colleagues and I spend the last few weeks of 2017 planning for the future, we are also spending time reminding ourselves of what we have built together. I am grateful for my colleagues, our Board, our clients, our business partners, and the countless people who have given a referral, an idea and a pat on the back along the way. It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a village to nurture a business.

Think about the people around you, who have helped you along the way. And make sure your communication with them includes a healthy dose of gratitude. Support should always lead to gratitude. And gratitude usually leads to more support. Funny how that seems to work.

Finally, any mention of the gratitude I feel would not be complete without a mention of my wife Emily. As we approach the end of our fifteenth year at The Latimer Group, I would be remiss if I did not share with you that this whole thing was her idea. One morning in September of 2000, Emily and I were hiking out of the Grand Canyon. As we enjoyed sunrise in the canyon, and while hashing out once again the “what am I going to do with my life” conversation, Emily said the magic words. “You have always been a good coach, and you are a good public speaker. So, coach public speaking. Just do that.” That was it. That was the idea. And here we are, fifteen years later. Thank you, my love.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our clients and friends in the United States. And to all our clients and friends across the globe, have a great week, and we hope to cross paths again soon.