Have you noticed lower morale in your team moving into Q4?
Don’t wait until Thanksgiving to begin a gratitude practice!
The key to gratitude is simply appreciation.
Develop a culture of gratitude to receive the boosts that will come, including an increase in connection, empathy, and authenticity.
This will have a positive impact on worker mental health, morale, and relationships overall.
Gratitude is revolutionary! Break down the barriers of ‘professional decorum’ by displaying appreciation, when it might normally be saved for annual reviews in standard corporate culture.
Larger companies, like Southwest Airlines, have created departments around culture. Their managing director of culture, Cheryl Hughey, has reported that Southwest shows appreciations through paying attention to special events in their workers’ lives and sending flowers and cards.
It’s a special touch to receive something special from your organization during events like graduations, weddings, and difficult times like family illnesses or bereavement.
Another famous show of gratitude from the top includes the former CEO of Campbell’s soup sending over 30,000 handwritten thank you notes to his employees. This is the wholesome behavior we'd like to see more of in 2020 and beyond!
How can you foster more gratitude in your company culture?
- Be authentic! Reflect on each individual and be specific and genuine in your comments.
- Be well-rounded! Show appreciation for the whole person, not simply productive qualities. This helps workers feel valued for what they bring to the table as themselves.
- Be consistent! Pick a day of the week, like Thursdays, to remind your team that it is a day of gratitude and ask them to extend a note of appreciation within their circle.
- Be inclusive! Send thanks to every member of your organization. Be sure to involve those that support your team if your work in an office building. Include business partners and don’t be afraid to use social media to display your gratitude!
- Be mindful! The very act of being present in a moment of gratitude is a simple way to practice mindfulness in the workplace, whether you’re on the giving or receiving end.
Sincere appreciation will go a long way in building esteem in others as well as your team.
In 2018, the Greater Good Science Center released a white paper, “The Science of Gratitude,” that outlines the benefits to practicing gratitude:
- On the individual level
- Builds resiliency
- Increases life satisfaction
- Better sleep and less fatigue
- Improvements in happiness and overall mood (or affect)
- Better overall physical health
- At less risk for burnout
- Decreased inflammation
- “Encourages the development of patience, humility, and wisdom” 1
- On the group level
- Strengthens relationships
- Increases prosocial behaviors (behaviors intending to help others)
- May improve job satisfaction and overall effectiveness
The easiest way to build a gratitude practice in your own day is by writing down (on paper or even as a note in your phone) three (yes, 3!) different things that you are grateful for each day. Watch as your list grows!
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nazbeheshti/2018/11/20/benefits-of-a-year-round-attitude-of-gratitude-in-the-workplace/#64f23ef71bc5
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_can_transform_your_workplace
https://inside.6q.io/clever-ways-encourage-gratitude-workplace/
https://www.mckinsey.com/about-us/covid-response-center/leadership-mindsets/podcasts/fostering-employee-productivity-and-morale-through-covid-19#
https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-gratitude/ 1
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