The Conscious Entrepreneur

Episode 115: A Better Way to Say Thanks: Authentic Employee Appreciation and Corporate Gifting
Host: Sarah Lockwood
Date: November 17, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Sarah Lockwood explores the art of authentic employee appreciation—especially during the holiday season. She challenges listeners to move beyond generic gifting and standardized thank-yous, offering practical tips and mindset shifts that make gratitude truly meaningful. The discussion is rooted in values-based leadership, aiming to cultivate real connection, trust, and alignment within teams, whether for five or 500 people.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Why Thoughtful Appreciation Matters

• Appreciation as Connection: When done well, gratitude “builds trust, loyalty, and a genuine sense of connection” (00:00).
• Culture Reflection: Recognition isn’t only about acknowledging work—it signals company values and culture to employees.
• Pitfalls of Generic Gestures: Standardized emails or identical gift cards risk making employees feel like “a number,” ultimately eroding connection rather than building it.

Quote:

“A generic gift card that everyone gets, or a corporate email that sounds all at once like it was written for everyone and no one at all… Even a well intentioned gesture can land flat or make people feel like a number. And it’s so sad because it’s such a big missed opportunity.” — Sarah Lockwood (00:18)

Timing: Why Now Is the Ideal Moment

• Thanksgiving as a Window: Sarah recommends Thanksgiving as “the sweet spot” for appreciation (02:03). It’s early enough not to be lost in end-of-year chaos and ties into natural feelings of reflection—even with global teams.

Quote:

“Even if your team is international and not celebrating Thanksgiving in the US, the sentiment still translates. They understand that this is about appreciation and reflection and connection.” — Sarah Lockwood (02:41)

How To Deliver Genuine Appreciation

1. Say It Like You Mean It

• Be Personal & Specific: Move beyond boilerplate. Share specifics about the person’s impact or presence.
• Medium Doesn’t Matter: Whether by note, Slack, or voice memo, what matters is being “personal and specific.”

Memorable Example:

“Our meetings feel so much calmer when you’re in the room. You’re a steady force that everyone relies on.” (03:24)

“You’ve caught details that the rest of us would have missed. Your care and attention makes all the difference.” (03:34)

• Small Gestures Can Be Powerful: Recounting a past experience where a teammate left her favorite mango Tajín treats and a kind note after a big milestone. The thoughtfulness stood out, not the gift’s expense (04:10).

Quote:

“It wasn’t fancy, it wasn’t expensive, but somebody knew what I like. They were paying attention… and it built a warm sense of community.” — Sarah Lockwood (04:19)

2. Let Gifts Reflect Your Company Values

• Values in Action: The gift itself sends a message about what the company values. E.g., wellness companies offering extra PTO; creative teams giving learning budgets (05:00).
• Consistency is Key: If the gift and company values are mismatched, employees notice the disconnect.

Quote:

“Every gift sends a message, whether you mean it to or not. Like if you’re a wellness company and you give everybody an extra paid day of time off, it says, we really mean it. We want you to be rested and be well.” — Sarah Lockwood (05:08)

3. Mind the Logistics—And Individual Needs

• Personalization Scales Differently: Small teams allow high individualization; large or distributed teams face logistics hurdles.
• Avoid Missteps: Sending alcohol to someone who doesn’t drink or gluten to someone with a dietary restriction “can do more harm than good.”
• Consider Flexible Gifting Platforms: Tools like Goody allow employees to choose their own gifts, and leaders to attach a personalized message (06:00).

Quote:

“If you can find a gifting provider that lets people be flexible and choose their own gift, that’s great. Especially when you can still include a short personal message that ties back to the appreciation…” — Sarah Lockwood (06:25)

Beyond Seasonal Gratitude

• Appreciation Should Be Consistent: Recognition shouldn’t be reserved for holidays; ongoing personal notes or small acknowledgements go a long way in trust-building (07:32).

Quote:

“Just those little moments of recognition... are the kinds of touchpoints that can build trust on a team.” — Sarah Lockwood (07:39)

• Practical Challenge: Before your next meeting, identify one teammate to thank—specifically and genuinely—“just shoot off a little Slack message of recognition” (08:17).

Actionable Takeaways

• Invest the time: Block off a couple hours this season to make employee appreciation personal and meaningful.
• Be specific: Highlight real, individual impact—don’t “tick the box.”
• Align with company culture: Let appreciation (gifts or otherwise) reinforce who you are as a company.
• Use the right tools: For larger teams, leverage flexible platforms that enable genuine, individualized gestures, wherever your team is based.
• Make it a habit: Don’t save gratitude for holidays. Regular recognition builds trust and engagement year-round.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It just cuts through the noise in a really authentic way.” (02:30)
• “What does this gift say about who we are and what we value?” (05:21)
• “I hope that you will block a couple of hours on your calendar and make this year’s employee appreciation a little bit more personal and a little bit more special.” (08:37)

Episode Structure & Timestamps

• 00:00-01:18 — Introduction: The art and impact of authentic appreciation
• 01:18-02:41 — Why standard gestures often fall flat; importance of timing and cultural fit
• 02:41-05:00 — How to make gratitude personal and meaningful; memorable personal stories
• 05:00-06:25 — Gifts as cultural signals; aligning appreciation with values
• 06:25-07:32 — Logistics of gifting, inclusivity, and useful platforms
• 07:32-08:43 — Year-round recognition and practical next steps
• 08:43-End — Conclusion and encouragement to share gratitude now

Summary:
Sarah Lockwood’s approach is a refreshing challenge to default corporate gratitude, making the case that authentic, personal appreciation—done thoughtfully and often—strengthens culture, trust, and belonging. Whether you’re leading a small or large team, her actionable tips help ensure every thank you really counts.