Every November, my yoga teacher reminds us that it’s Appreciation Month. I always smile because if you have been receiving my newsletter, you know I’m an appreciation devotee. I write about it often.

Recently, however, I’ve noticed that when I conduct a program and ask participants to name something they appreciate about a colleague, sometimes it’s crickets. When I delve deeper, I learn that they are thinking in grandiose terms like a major breakthrough or an extraordinary accomplishment. They want to say, “I’m grateful that you developed a new software program that saved our division $8 million in the first quarter.”

But appreciation works best when you notice the little things. It’s the small, everyday gestures that keep our teams moving forward and connected. It’s the colleague who summarizes a meeting so everyone’s clear on next steps. The teammate who redirects a conversation toward what we can control instead of what we can’t. The person who quietly checks in, listens, or adds a little humor when tension is high.

Those are the moments that strengthen relationships and build trust.

To make it easier for you and your team, here are a few conversation starters that can open the door to genuine gratitude and recognition:

• “Who did something this week that made your job easier?”

• “What’s something a teammate did that no one mentioned?”

• “Who surprised you with their helpfulness or creativity?”

• “What’s one thing you’re grateful for on this team right now?”

• “Who handled a tough moment with grace?”

• “What’s something you tried that worked better than expected?”

• “Who communicated clearly and helped the group stay aligned?”

• “Who made you feel seen, heard, or supported this week?”

• “Who showed persistence or positivity when things got tough?”

As we head into the season of gratitude, remember that appreciation doesn’t need a holiday or a headline. The quiet thanks you offer today might be the encouragement someone else carries for weeks. Appreciate someone and watch for the smile.