Trade leaders win when appreciation becomes a system, not a slogan. In this solo lesson, Chad Peterman shares the 20-year story of a position coach’s handwritten note that flipped his mindset and how HVAC, plumbing, and home-service teams can use the same playbook to unlock belief, consistency, and effort. You’ll learn the four elements of effective appreciation, how to “close the coaching loop,” and a simple weekly cadence that raises performance without lowering standards.

Additional Resources:

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Key Takeaways:

• Appreciation outruns perfection: Praise visible effort and progress to drive long-term results.
• Make it specific: Tie gratitude to observable behavior and impact so the team can repeat it.
• Close the loop: Coach the mistake, then praise the corrected behavior to cement learning.
• Keep it sincere and concise: A short, genuine note often beats a long speech.
• Lead from gratitude: Daily gratitude practice improves mood, influence, and resilience under pressure.