How Practicing Gratitude Improves Executive Decision-Making and Team Performance

You're sitting in a leadership meeting, but you can't focus on what's being said. Your mind is locked on the looming deadline you'll probably miss, the budget that's nearly blown, or the key team member who's out sick when you need them most.

Does any of this sound familiar?

That reactive spiral occurs because your brain defaults to scanning for threats instead of appreciating that things are going well. 

Here's what happens when you focus on gratitude and deliberately pay attention to what's working: your brain releases dopamine and serotonin. 

These chemicals don't just lift your mood. They sharpen your focus, help you process stress more effectively, and enhance your decision-making abilities.

These neurological benefits can be achieved by practicing gratitude. At the end of your day, write down three specific wins:

• A call you made that moved something forward
• A conversation that brought clarity to your team
• A high-stakes decision that created momentum

Practice this regularly, and your brain will rewire itself to appreciate what's working as it happens, not just what's going wrong.

When you notice wins, you're more likely to acknowledge them with your team. That recognition boosts morale, reinforces what's working, and creates a feedback loop that has your team doubling down on their strengths.

The result: improved performance, increased confidence, and a team that executes effectively under pressure.

To drive consistent improvement over the next 6 months, don't just focus on solving problems. Practice gratitude for what's working, and your team will double down on those strengths.

Work with Elite Executive:

1. Free worksheet
The Fast Stress Management Worksheet provides a clear pathway to peak performance that you can use today. Grab it here.

2. Talk to me
Book a free call. We'll discuss where you're stuck and whether EMDR or coaching can help. Schedule here.

3. Work together
The EMDR Peak Performance Core Program is for leaders ready to operate at their peak. Learn more.