25 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • MAY/JUNE 2024 What is “leading with gratitude” and how could it help your staff to thrive and forge authentic, win-win relationships with partners? Moderated by Matt Strawn, CEO of the Iowa Lottery, the panel considered subjects ranging from Simon Sinek’s “start with why” principle to the challenges of connecting with staff in the digital age. Panelists shared practical advice about how to turn buzzwords like authenticity, connection, and purpose into tangible actions that will help lotteries deliver their missions. Alongside Matt, the other panelists were: • Jay Finks, Executive Director, Oklahoma Lottery • Joshua Johnston, Executive Director, Washington Lottery • Ryan Mindell, Deputy Executive Director, Texas Lottery • Doug Pollard, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Pollard Banknote Matt began the discussion by describing his unorthodox introduction to a recent Iowa Lottery’s Board of Directors meeting. He shared a message of gratitude received from the winner of an Iowa Lottery experiential prize: “Thanks again for an amazing time at the concert. My husband and I never get to do something like that for ourselves. We have six kids and our youngest has a terminal disorder. So, everything we do is to make his time left the best it can possibly be. So, for us to do something just for ourselves, well, it was awesome. It meant more than you would ever know.” Everyone in the lottery industry knows how thankful winners are for their good fortune. The winner in Matt’s example did not win a life-changing jackpot. But their expression of gratitude captures the personal impact that lottery has on winners and captures the impulse to appreciate our blessings, an impulse that brings out the best in all of us. The billions of dollars that are generated for the benefit of good causes and society also evoke heartfelt expressions of gratitude. The theme of this discussion was how all of us, even though we haven’t won the lottery or been a direct recipient of lottery funds, nurture that impulse to be grateful for all that we do have and are blessed with. How can we make the meaning and purpose of gratefulness come alive on a more personal level for everyone around us and how does it apply to business and leadership? Or, as Matt put it, “How can the concept of gratitude be infused throughout the entire organization to create a sense of connection and appreciation?” Referencing Webster’s definition of gratitude as “awakened thankfulness,” he asked, “How do we as leaders awaken that thankfulness in ourselves so that we lead with gratitude? And, more importantly, how do we awaken that thankfulness in those that we’ve been entrusted to lead so that they not only fulfill their work objectives but also feel fulfilled at work?” Concluding his opening remarks, Matt expressed gratitude to the “amazing lottery community for the love and support” he received during his recent health struggles. He also thanked “the team at the Iowa Lottery who not only had my back as I P A N E L D I S C U S S I O N The following article is based on a panel discussion held at the PGRI Smart-Tech Conference on March 13 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Leading with Gratitude L to R: Matt Strawn, Jay Finks, Ryan Mindell, Doug Pollard and Joshua Johnston We have to connect personally and meaningfully and make that integral to our communication style and corporate culture. Continued on page 35
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