In this episode of Workplace Delight, I had the absolute gift of sitting down with Kevin Monroe — gratitude consultant, hope catalyst, and all-around positivity force. Kevin is a living, breathing example of what it looks like to infuse workplaces with gratitude, courage, and a deep sense of worth.
Choosing Radical Positivity
Kevin describes himself as “what you see is what you get.” His energy is real, and his optimism is a choice. “We get to choose,” he said. “Why wake up thinking today will be terrible?” Even in his darkest days, Kevin shared how he navigates back to the light.
Hope as a Warrior Emotion
Kevin is on a mission to redefine hope. Drawing from a season of personal setbacks, he now calls hope a warrior emotion. “Hope is not wishful thinking. It’s determined belief,” he explained, referencing Admiral Stockdale’s story of surviving brutal conditions with gritty determination. Hope is active, not passive; a spark of agency that drives change.
Gratitude in Action
Kevin’s gratitude practice goes far beyond thank-you notes. He challenges leaders to integrate gratitude into every interaction. “Gratitude is a filter that changes the way you do everything,” he told me. Whether it’s closing an email with personal appreciation or beginning a meeting by celebrating a team win, gratitude becomes a leadership superpower.
Building Agency in Teams
What happens when people feel seen, heard, and valued? Kevin is clear: they show up and give their best. “They give their creativity. They give discretionary effort,” he emphasized. Gratitude and hope fuel agency — and agency unlocks engagement and excellence.
Practical Shifts for Leaders
Kevin left leaders with this simple framework: Pause. Notice. Express. Start your day with gratitude. Look for small moments of goodness. Express it, even in a quick text. As Kevin put it, “Your example is your best teaching tool.”
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