Five Ways to Incorporate Gratitude in Your Workplace

November 27th, 2019 by ifi-admin

First, I’d like to wish you a happy Thanksgiving. I hope you are able to enjoy a relaxing break from the regular demands of your everyday routine. In the spirit of gratitude, I want you to know that your relationship with Phoenix Partners means a lot to me personally. So thank you!

Given the nature of this holiday, I would like to share some statistics about the power of gratitude in the workplace. Whether you’re an employer or a candidate, infusing an attitude of genuine gratitude into your work life will help others, as well as help you. Givers gain!

Did You Know That Gratitude Boosts Productivity?

According to research rounded up by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkley, gratitude can improve our health, motivate us to achieve our goals, and boost our feelings of satisfaction. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the number one reason people leave their jobs is because they don’t feel appreciated. The benefits of creating a culture of gratitude in the workplace, including retention, are numerous and backed by research:

  • 93% of people agree that grateful bosses are more likely to succeed.
  • 88% of people say that expressing gratitude to colleagues makes them feel happier and more fulfilled.
  • In one study from Harvard University and The Wharton School, receiving a “thank you” from a supervisor boosted productivity by more than 50%!

Five Ways to Incorporate Gratitude in Your Workplace

(adapted from UC Berkley’s Greater Good Science Center)

1. Start at the Top: Employees need to hear “thank you” from the boss, which sets an important tone and example for the rest of the organization. At the same time, when employees do feel genuine gratitude to a supervisor or manager, they shouldn’t hold back—upward expressions of appreciation benefit people on both sides of the “thank you.”

2. Thank the People Who Never Get Thanked: Gratitude expressed to those who do thankless work makes their contributions visible and thus broadens everyone’s understanding of how the organization functions—and needless to say, it improves morale and increases trust.

3. Aim for Quality, not Quantity: When thanking someone, be specific about the ways their actions have helped you, since it increases your own appreciation—and it tells the person that you are paying attention to their actions rather than just going through the motions of thanking them.

4. Provide Different Opportunities to Express Gratitude: Not everyone likes to express—or receive—gratitude in the same way. Encouraging different methods of appreciation helps people find the right fit. Gratitude isn’t one-size-fits-all.

5. In the Wake of Crisis, Take Time to Give Thanks: Cultivating a culture of gratitude might be the best way to help a workplace bounce back from the stresses that come with change, conflict, or failure.

Whether you’re looking to make a career move yourself or would like help finding the right candidate for an open position, Phoenix Partners is happy (and grateful!) to assist you! Contact us today!