The on-field effects of the move are plain to see with Steele rediscovering his best form to play an integral role in the Demons' unexpected surge into the finals.
And the benefits outside the boundary line have been every bit as important.
"I'm just less grumpy going home," Steele said.
"I suppose the leadership journey for me at the Saints carried a really big load towards the end of my tenure there.
"So to remove that and come to a club where I didn't have to have any formal leadership role, I could just go about my business and work with the younger lads as a mentor at my own pace.
"That's been refreshing."
Steele was effectively forced out of St Kilda at the end of last year, sold for the proverbial packet of chips - a 2027 third-round draft pick - to make way for a series of high-priced recruits.
The Saints and Melbourne have had contrasting fortunes in the ensuing months, with Steele's new side confounding the critics and flirting with a top-four finish before settling for seventh.
The Demons will meet Carlton in a wildcard final on Saturday night while St Kilda watch on with envy, having missed the expanded top 10 altogether.
"It's been a bit of a whirlwind 12 months for me," Steele said.
"Comparison, as they say, is the thief of joy, so I don't really want to compare my position to where the Saints are at the moment.
"But I'm just really grateful for the opportunity that Melbourne have given me."
Steele, a two-time All-Australian (2020-21), has emerged from playing as St Kilda's substitute late last season to lining up as a key cog in Melbourne's starting midfield under first-year coach Steven King.
"I just wanted to prove to myself that I could still play this game at the highest level," the 30-year-old said.
"I feel like I've been able to do that, but I've still got plenty left to give."
Steele largely credits King with turning his career around and isn't interested in publicly comparing his new coach's style to that of St Kilda's Ross Lyon, under whom he played as captain for three seasons.
"I'm not going to comment on it," he said.
But he added King has been "a breath of fresh air".
"He views life through a really optimistic lens and he's really backed me in," Steele said.
"From the first time that I met him, which is probably nearly 12 months ago now, he's just really supported me and what I want to get out of my footy."
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