An expression of gratitude costs nothing and only requires minimal time and attention. It’s a good feeling when someone says thank you and the power of gratitude in the workplace can be hugely significant.
Leaders can also create an environment where everyone gets in on the action, leveraging the attention of every member of the team to ensure that all accomplishments get recognized.
Many organizations are criticized by past employees as having toxic environments of egocentrism and selfishness.
The importance of gratitude in business
- Studies show that employees who receive more gratitude perform kind acts that aren’t part of their job description, such as filling in for colleagues and helping recruits.
- There is also a clear connection between showing appreciation to your people and employee motivation and engagement.
- Gratitude in the workplace also directly impacts the team and organizational performance and drives a firm’s sustainable success in the marketplace.
- It also leads to significantly increased happiness, greater satisfaction with life, and even fewer headaches and illnesses.
- Gratitude reduces a multitude of toxic emotions, ranging from envy and resentment to frustration and regret.
- It reduces social comparisons.
- For years, research has shown gratitude not only reduces stress, but it may also play a major role in overcoming trauma.
- Gratitude affects the body’s biochemistry. It can lower blood pressure, improve immune function, and have a positive impact on sleep.
- Gratitude is not only good for the person who is thanked.
Giving thanks is hugely beneficial to the person who is handing out the appreciation, as well as the recipient as paying attention to what we feel grateful for puts us in a positive frame of mind.
How to express gratitude at work:
Although thankfulness may appear to be an easy thing to express, how can managers influence the entire culture of their department or company to adopt an attitude of thanks? Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Thank you cards
It seems honest and genuine to express gratitude with a physical token of appreciation. It’s a good idea to keep a supply of thank you cards on hand in the office for when the occasion calls for a simple thank you.
2. Employee gratitude letter or email
The positive effects of sending handwritten letters or emails were researched and carried out by Professor Steve Toepfer to determine the psychological benefits. His research found that the recipients of gratitude experienced enhanced levels of life satisfaction and happiness, as well as decreased symptoms of depression.
3. Reminders
One method to demonstrate thankfulness at work is to begin each Thursday (or whichever day you select) by reminding everyone with an announcement that today is a day of gratitude. Encourage staff to express gratitude to everyone who has assisted them during the week.
4. Positive words for all
It doesn’t matter which position you hold in the organization. Everyone can take part and create greater positivity in the workplace.
5. Create a “thank you” channel in your communication system
Employees who work remotely or in a hybrid environment and interact with coworkers less often may be unclear about how to show their appreciation to your team. People can feel appreciated for their contributions and a part of the larger firm while working away from the office by setting up a “thank you” or “kudos” channel in your messaging system where staff members and supervisors can express thanks at work.
6. Saying thanks is for business partners too
Employers don’t just have to feel limited in showing gratitude to employees. Being grateful can extend to your business partners and clients too.
7. Write it into your protocols and procedures
If you are hoping to change the culture of your organization to become more grateful and caring, it is good to revisit your current protocols and procedures. This could include welcoming and goodbye parties for new and leaving staff and building gratitude into performance reviews.
Conclusion
Gratitude is the gift that keeps on giving. Giving thanks throughout your organization is not only noble—it is smart.
Business leaders and managers failing to thank their employees won’t get the best from their people. A lack of gratitude at work leaves employees feeling unsatisfied, unappreciated, and demotivated, all of which have a significant impact on employee happiness and productivity.
So, leaders must be able to constantly demonstrate genuine respect and thanks to their employees. They must cultivate a thankfulness culture within the organization, in which all employees feel accountable for and empowered to acknowledge one another for good work.