Stop Overthinking a Culture of Gratitude. Show It Instead!

As we enter the season of gratitude, I have contemplated the importance of employers, managers, and leaders expressing thanks to their hardworking team members. But how should we show our gratitude? What is authentic? What works? A little gratitude goes a long way in keeping employees happy and feeling valued.

Why gratitude is great

Research clearly illustrates that the right amount of gratitude can drastically impact the productivity, positivity, morale, employee retention, and success of a business

• Robert Emmons, the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude, reveals why gratitude is good for our bodies, our minds, and our relationships
• First, it’s an affirmation of goodness – we affirm that there are good things in the world, gifts, and benefits we’ve received.
• Second, we figure out where that goodness comes from – we recognize the sources of goodness as being outside of ourselves.

Bottom line

Organizations, specifically leaders, MUST set an example of gratitude

Gratitude is transcendent.

It transcends any one part of our lives. It’s holistic in nature. People are grateful at home and at work, but people aren’t inherently grateful whether they are working at a job or not.

• It is important to engage employees and entice them to stay through authentic actions.

Define happiness

The clearer the picture, the more likely you will succeed

Get back to basics

Say thank you and thank your coworkers

• How would you like to be recognized
• What makes a happy, productive workplace
• Find out how people are feeling
• Are they scared, tired, upbeat, hopeful, or what general trends come to light from truly asking

Understand how to align the organization’s foundational purpose with daily actions

There should also be a deep-rooted connection between what the organization stands for and how it treats employees

• If it is focused on providing goods or services to better their customers or the world, are we treating employees just as well or better?

Create an environment that fosters gratitude

Many employees may feel ambivalent about expressing gratitude or appreciation publicly, so don’t force it

• Managers can create (physical or virtual) space and time for gratitude by creating an appreciation wall or a dedicated Slack channel for employees to recognize others
• When employees pin notes to the wall or participate in check-ins, they create social proof that encourages their ambivalent colleagues to do the same

Stop thinking about gratitude as an “initiative”

Gratitude in the workplace doesn’t have to be expensive or overwrought with logistics

• There are many ways to show appreciation and employee recognition that aren’t overtaxing or unrealistic
• A culture of gratitude begins with a genuine heart and feelings of thanks for those who make your business work

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