More than half of American workers are Millennials or Gen Z—and their top workplace concern isn’t salary or vacation, but feeling seen and appreciated. In this heart-opening episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, host Damon sits down with Joel Zuckerman, bestselling author of Gratitude Tiger, to explore why gratitude is a powerful leadership tool—far beyond a feel-good buzzword. Joel shares how a simple experiment—writing one heartfelt letter—transformed his life and career, and why gratitude is actually a competitive edge for leaders and organizations alike. 

From practical strategies for showing authentic appreciation to why “silent gratitude is useless,” this episode is a playbook for boosting morale, deepening trust, and making every member of your team feel like they matter. Whether you’re a manager with a mile-long to-do list or an employee eager to stand out, Joel’s approach will help you lead—and live—with more generosity and intention. 

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• Why gratitude is leaders’ secret weapon for retention and morale (and why Gen Z craves it most) 
• The power of handwritten notes: why Joel’s written over 280 gratitude letters (and how it changed everything) 
• Joel’s “Seven Pillars of Expressive Gratitude”—and how businesses can apply them in minutes, not hours 
• How to share authentic appreciation (even when feedback is tough) 
• Simple, actionable ways to express gratitude—whether you have 7 paragraphs, 7 sentences, or just 7 words 
• How showing gratitude helps you become a more likable, promotable team member 
• Why “getting specific” turns gratitude into real trust and connection 

Timestamps: 

00:00 – Gen Z & Millennial workers’ #1 workplace concern: being seen and valued 

00:41 – Meet Joel Zuckerman: author, speaker, accidental gratitude advocate 

01:35 – Why “silent gratitude” is useless 

02:52 – Joel’s first handwritten gratitude letter (and what happened next) 

06:17 – How writing letters rewired Joel’s relationships—and himself 

08:11 – The 7 Pillars of Expressive Gratitude 

13:24 – How busy leaders can show gratitude in 7 words 

14:01 – The ROI of appreciation for business: loyalty, retention, morale 

17:07 – 7-word gratitude for employee feedback 

20:44 – Keeping gratitude authentic (and grounded in truth) 

28:49 – Flip the script: use gratitude to get promoted and build likability 

32:41 – Finding gratitude, even when life gets hard 

39:14 – Why everyone (not just Olympians!) can inspire with gratitude 

43:03 – Joel’s favorite “gratitude received” stories 

45:08 – The one action Joel wants you to take today 

About Joel Zuckerman 

Joel Zuckerman is a bestselling author, international speaker, and renowned gratitude advocate. Known for his years writing about golf and travel, Joel’s life took an unexpected turn when he challenged himself to write a single letter of heartfelt appreciation. Nearly 300 gratitude letters and countless speaking engagements later, he’s the author of Gratitude Tiger and a sought-after keynote speaker who helps business leaders and individuals use gratitude as a tool for connection and organizational impact.  

Resources & Mentions: 

• Website: gratitudetiger.com 
• LinkedIn: Joel Zuckerman on LinkedIn 
• Joel’s book: Gratitude Tiger 
• “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” by Richard Carlson 
• William Arthur Ward’s quote: “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” 
• Doug Conant, former Campbell Soup CEO, and his 30,000 handwritten notes (Doug Conant on LinkedIn) 
• Emily Post’s advice on thank-you notes (emilypost.com) 
• “Live Like Sam” Foundation (livelikesam.org) 
• Harvard Business School’s “competent jerk vs. lovable fool” study 
• Mike Robbins: Mike Robbins on LinkedIn 

Podcast Contact Information: 

Website: www.learnit.com 

Email: [email protected] 

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