Since we’ve kicked off the holiday season, we wanted to focus on gratitude. There is an increased focus in business about the power of empathy and gratitude, so let’s dive into how it can help you transform your business.
“People who matter,” said publisher Malcolm Forbes, “are aware that everyone else does, too.”
There is an increasing number of studies on the power of gratitude and the impact it can have on our daily lives.
UC Davis psychology professor Robert Emmons, author of The Little Book of Gratitude: Creating a Life of Happiness and Wellbeing by Giving Thanks, said, “Most of our waking hours are spent on the job, and gratitude, in all its forms, is a basic human requirement. So when you put these factors together, it is essential to both give and receive thanks at work.”
“Gratitude goes a step further: It recognizes how the positive things in our lives—like a success at work—are often due to forces outside of ourselves, particularly the efforts of other people.”
How Gratitude Can Transform Teams
Gratitude has been proven to improve the workplace, but in what ways specifically? Good question.
According to Eric Mosley and Derek Irvine, authors of the book The Power of Thanks, “Gratitude magnifies the spirit and promotes well-being. In good times and bad, authentic appreciation creates perspective, literally stepping back from the distractions of the moment and affirming something more lasting than passing circumstance.”
The benefits of gratitude include:
- Increased productivity
- Increased loyalty
- Improved employee outlook and satisfaction
- More engagement from the workforce
- Improved physical and emotional health
- Creates a positive environment
In other words, by learning how to have a spirit of gratitude, your employees will be healthier, happier, work better together, be more engaged and loyal. And they’ll get more done.
How to Show Gratitude
Gratitude starts with listening. By paying attention to the whole person and listening for the details it creates opportunities to focus on the positive. Notice the places where each individual has helped contribute to your business, the team, and with customers.
There is no limit to the way in which gratitude is expressed, says Emmons. “We are hungry for genuine expressions of gratitude,” he says. “Everyone wants to feel appreciated, valued, recognized.”
Finding places to show appreciation that is detailed and specific to the person makes it sincere and appreciated. For it to be authentic, it needs to be given in a way that is uniquely you. Show gratitude and thanks in ways that fit with your personality.
The benefits of showing gratitude for your team are immeasurable. Take this time of the year to get started, and then keep it going.
You’ll be grateful you did.
