“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” – Melody Beattie
Gratitude, praise, and recognition take various forms, such as positive feedback, a thank-you note, or a token of appreciation like a lunch invitation.
With hybrid work models here to stay, integrating gratitude into real-time interactions has become vital.
Research underscores the importance of appreciation in fostering strong workplace relationships. Studies show a 61% decrease in job turnover among those who feel valued.
Genuine gratitude, given without ulterior motives, is free and deeply impactful.
Rooted in our evolutionary history and childhood development, gratitude is primarily ‘other-oriented', emphasising appreciation for the actions and support of others. It serves as a catalyst for fostering a culture of connection and collaboration in the workplace.
Practising gratitude involves actions, feelings, and mindset shifts, encouraging individuals to appreciate goodness and pay it forward.
Incorporating gratitude into workplace culture strengthens relationships and promotes generosity and kindness.
With all the pressures of a modern work culture, gratitude can often be overlooked. However, its implementation is needed to maintain employee engagement and well-being.
Understanding how individuals express and receive gratitude is essential for leaders cultivating a culture of appreciation. Expressing genuine gratitude fosters a sense of belonging and reinforces the importance of each team member's contributions.
Research demonstrates the myriad benefits of gratitude, spanning physical, psychological, and social dimensions. Individuals who practice gratitude consistently report enhanced well-being and social connections.
Gratitude serves as a social emotion, strengthening relationships by acknowledging the support received from others. While thankfulness may be internal, gratitude is typically directed outward, emphasising reciprocity and connection.
Simple gestures, such as spontaneous compliments or expressions of gratitude, can profoundly impact workplace culture. Creating opportunities for team members to share appreciation fosters a positive and collaborative work environment.
By amplifying practices that foster appreciation and connection, organisations can cultivate a culture that attracts and retains talent.
It only takes a moment to be grateful.
Ideas to unwrap the Gift of Gratitude:
- Compliment work colleagues on the fly; don’t always wait until the time is right.
- Let a colleague know what they mean to you.
- Be thankful for the growth opportunity challenges bring.
- Be grateful for learning something new and share this with others.
- Invest in moments to be thankful for – this will ensure you create a consistent loop of building, expressing, and living the Gift of Gratitude.
- Individually or as a team, kick-off team catch-ups with the question, “Who and what are you grateful for?”
- For every negative in conversations or your thoughts, come up with three positives; this is called the 3:1 ratio.
- Introduce “Win Wednesdays,” where each team member shares a win, big or small, and who and what helped them achieve it.
- Acknowledge the silver lining or the Gift in all situations and what it has taught you.
Now is the time to amplify workplace practices that may have been taken for granted, such as the simple act of gratitude and appreciation. Gratitude is the conduit to strong and connected relationships and a collaborative culture people want to be a part of.
Lead to be Limitless…
