As I reflect on this season of thankfulness, I’m reminded that gratitude at Atrium isn’t just seasonal; it’s baked into who we are and has been from day one. It’s what has nurtured the incredible, lasting relationships we share with our clients, candidates, and team members. Gratitude is how we connect, whether through brainstorming new ideas or developing leaders—it’s our foundation for building meaningful relationships. You could say that gratitude is our secret sauce.
Cultivating Trust and Relationships
When I say gratitude is baked into who Atrium is, I mean it quite literally. In Atrium’s early days, I was so grateful for the chance to make a placement with a client that I baked her a tin of cookies. Baking, for me, is a love language—a heartfelt way to show my appreciation. My client loved the cookies and returned the tin, saying she’d welcome more when we made our next placement—and with that, a lasting relationship was born.
This gratitude extends to our candidates, as well. They trusted us in those early days and continue to do so with important career decisions – a responsibility we don’t take lightly. We are incredibly appreciative as they come back time and again for new assignments. I often speak about the virtuous circle, and there’s a reason for that: the trust we build is at the heart of everything we do, creating a cycle of appreciation and loyalty that continues to grow.
Fueling Innovation with Gratitude
Some of Atrium’s greatest innovations and moments of agility were inspired by gratitude for new opportunities. “No” simply isn’t in our vocabulary. When a client comes to us with a challenge that may be outside our usual scope, we embrace it with gratitude, viewing it as an opportunity to strengthen our partnership, innovate, and rise to the occasion—regardless of the size of the request.
I’ve always been grateful for the opportunity to learn from my experiences. This means having a safe space to try new ideas, take risks, and innovate—even when things don’t go as planned. This approach makes us more resilient during difficult times and enhances our creativity when things are going well. It’s this mindset that I work to cultivate here at Atrium.
The incredible people who make up Atrium are recognized and celebrated for their hard work and the risks they take in innovating each day. My goal is to cultivate an environment where everyone feels inspired to think outside the box, learn from their experiences, and grow in ways they might not have imagined. Sometimes, this growth shines through as professional development; other times, it leads Atrium to launch new, innovative solutions. More often than not, it’s a beautiful blend of both!
Gratitude for these opportunities transforms our atmosphere from one filled with hesitation to a vibrant space that celebrates bold ideas. It sparks creativity and fosters a culture where people feel valued, appreciated, and empowered to take initiative. I recently read that employees are 18 times more likely to deliver great work when recognition is thoughtfully tailored to individuals and woven into the organization’s culture—a reminder of just how powerful appreciation can be.
Saying Thank You
The power of gratitude knows no limits. For nearly thirty years, I’ve witnessed its magic at Atrium, and nothing brings me more joy than seeing my team discover new ways to express thanks to their colleagues, clients, and candidates. At the end of the day, yes, we are a company, but behind that, we are a community of individuals for whom a mindset of gratitude makes anything possible.
