Leading with Gratitude
“Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.” ~Harvard Health
Having been involved in many employee engagement studies, it always astounds me that the simplest expressions made by leadership are always the most impactful to employees. Thank you. . .it really is that simple.
If you don’t say it, they won’t know it. You might think your employee know you are grateful for their contributions, but how would they, if you don’t tell them? The fact is, your employees don’t know and they need to hear it from you. Your employees don’t come to work to screw up, they come to contribute, work hard, do good work and make an impact. Bottom line, they care just as much as you do.
Employees want to know that what they do makes a difference and that they are important. Say it, write it, share it - formally or informally, it doesn’t matter as long as you do it. Recognize their contributions, their effort, and the risks they take. They are not always going to hit a home run but that doesn’t mean they are not learning and growing from the experience.
Gratitude motivates, builds confidence, and being happy is contagious. “Managers who remember to say ‘thank you’ to people who work for them may find that those employees feel motivated to work harder,” according to researchers at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Not particularly good at gratitude? That’s okay. You can develop a practice of gratitude. Start every morning (or at the end of the day) by acknowledging one thing for which you are grateful. It only takes a moment. The key is to do it consistently. Want to get really crazy - write it down and keep a list!
I am no longer part of an organization however, I am very grateful for my amazing network! I stay connected by engaging with them throughout the year - whether it’s a quick hello through LinkedIn, ask for their input on something I am working on, share a resource, or (in different times) grab coffee. With over 20 years of corporate experience, four industries and six companies, I still have active connections from each. I am both thankful and proud. Without others, where would we be? If you don’t tell them, they will never know.
Here are some additional resources to help you Lead with Gratitude:
How an Attitude of Gratitude Can Make you a Better Leader (Forbes Article)
Leading with Gratitude: Eight Leadership Practices for Extraordinary Business Results (Book)
Give Thanks (TED Talk)
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope you will take a moment to show your gratitude with others. If you don’t say it, they won’t know it
Here is another article you might enjoy, Creating an Environment of Trust
