Most
of us know about the gratitude advantage. Research shows that expressing thanks
leads to lower stress, better relationships, improved health, and more. But there’s
one place we’re unlikely to express gratitude—work.
That
lack of gratitude is more common than you might think. In fact, a study by a
scholar shows that work is the last place we experience any sort of gratitude.
This
is a big problem. Practically speaking, most of us spend more waking time at
the office than anywhere else. That means if we expect to use the gratitude
advantage to our benefit, work is actually the best place to do it.
It
may be an uphill climb, but these six tactics can help you power your success
by expressing thanks:
Recognize
the value. About half of HR managers say that workplace gratitude improves
profitability. The truth is the number is probably a lot higher, and the reason
is simple. “We don’t just work for money. We also work for respect, for a sense
of accomplishment, for a feeling of purpose.” Gratitude engages more of what
motivates us.
Commit to
it.
Most of us know we should express thanks, but research has it that only about
one in ten of us actually does on any given day. In fact, about a third are
afraid to do so. We need to step outside our comfort zones and commit to
changing that statistic today.
Share the
love.
None of us can do it alone. Even solopreneurs need a team. When you experience
success, look for ways to acknowledge the contributions of your fans, friends,
colleagues, clients—anyone who played a role. It doesn’t make less of your
success; it makes more of how you scored.
Highlight
specifics. The more detailed you can, the better. When you are specific about the
benefits of a person, action, or thing, it increases your own appreciation—and
it tells a person that you are paying attention, rather than just going through
the motions.
Use
implementation intentions. Thinking through probable scenarios and formulating
your response ahead of time helps turn intention into reality. These are called
implementation intentions, and they are shown to increase the likelihood we’ll
follow through on what we intend.
Lead from
where you are. Experts (and employees) recognize that it’s best when
leaders go first. But leadership is not position; it’s influence. That means
you can start wherever you are in your organization and have in an impact in your
own life and your company.
People
will go so far in the performance of their duties when appreciated, and they
will under perform when they feel underappreciated.
Gratitude
is the most effective currency for keeping people engaged and performing at
their best. That’s true for you and the people you lead.
Question: How
often do you feel or express gratitude at work?
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