Did you know that showing gratitude in the workplace can help boost job satisfaction, employee retention, and productivity?
According to a John Templeton Foundation study, people are less likely to express gratitude at work than almost anywhere else, with a startling 60 percent of employees saying they’ve never been shown any appreciation at work. Gallup and Accenture experts say that a lack of appreciation is the number 1 reason why employees are dissatisfied at work and leave their jobs. According to University of Pennsylvania researchers, employees of grateful managers are 50 percent more efficient and successful. Whether it’s a simple “thank you”, a team lunch, or a staff party, everybody responds positively to demonstrations of gratitude.
Leaders who intentionally encourage gratitude in the workplace help their employees, both in-person and remote, to recover from failures, maintain connections, and stay motivated. Showing gratitude in the workplace has the power to rejuvenate, inspire, and elevate employees. And let’s face it … that’s exactly the kind of lift and motivation employees need right now.
Although fostering gratitude in the workplace might seem a bit challenging, the advantages are completely worth the effort. When putting together your ‘gratitude plan’ it’s important that it fits your company’s values, mission, culture, and, most importantly, it’s something that all employees can participate in and benefit from.
Introducing a Gratitude Challenge
A 30-day challenge encourages employees to express gratitude in small ways each day. Employees who complete the challenge will have a greater understanding of the importance of gratitude, as well as how good it feels to be grateful. Challenges could be things like; going one full day without complaining, engaging in a random act of kindness, or spending the day being an optimist.
Celebrating Success
Showing gratitude doesn’t have to be over the top or complicated— what counts the most is expressing why you’re grateful. A generic “thank you” is better than nothing, but you can boost the confidence of those unsung heroes regularly by praising them in meetings, offering rewards for outstanding performance, or by creating a platform where employees can celebrate their colleagues’ positive contributions. As a leader, be on the lookout for small victories that can have a big impact in boosting your employee’s morale.
Practice Compassion
Employees have more on their plates than ever before because of remote work, and the uncertainty of what’s coming next. It’s important to appreciate and admire employees who are juggling between work and homeschooling, while still staying on top of their work responsibilities. Being empathetic and showing respect towards them in difficult times can go a long way in the workplace.
Practicing Gratitude with Mindfulness
80% of employees say they feel stressed out at work. Mindfulness can help employees respond to challenges more gracefully while gratitude helps employees stay positive, thankful, and happy. You can promote mindfulness in the workplace by providing personal development opportunities both within and outside of work, or by setting aside time for meditation during the workday. When gratitude and mindfulness are practiced together, the results are overwhelming.
Spreading Positivity
One thing that is unique and powerful about gratitude is that it’s CONTAGIOUS. Establishing it as a culture is how leaders can bring positivity to the workplace and foster a culture of gratitude. Gratitude shouldn’t have a time limit; it should be treated as a mindset. It’s critical to incorporate this mindset into your daily conversations if you want to inspire others to do the same.
Preventing Burnout
Creating “no meeting” days and encouraging employees to take frequent breaks can help in stress management and prevent symptoms of burnout. It’s a win-win situation for everyone when employees are happy, motivated, and feel supported by their company.
One of the most fundamental human needs is to feel valued and appreciated, and significant research shows that showing gratitude in the workplace has both business and human benefits. Leaders need to recognise and prioritise their efforts to consistently show sincere appreciation and gratitude towards their employees to keep them motivated and stress-free.
