The most important thing in gratitude leadership is giving thanks. This matters because it will improve sense of wellbeing, have higher self esteem, will decrease depression and anxiety, helps sleep better, improve overall life satisfaction. Being grateful is an expectation in one’s personal lives, yet gratitude in the workplace is especially critical.
Gratitude is the positive emotion felt after receiving something valuable. It is a feeling of thankfulness or acknowledgement for receiving something. Appreciation is not gratitude; nor is acceptance. The difference with appreciation is that appreciation is about recognising and enjoying the good qualities of someone, acknowledging value and worth.
Gratitude is a complex social emotion where actions may simply be based on the sense of social worth and feeling valued by others. Studies shown that many employees say they’d be willing to work harder for an appreciative boss (Glassdoor Survey). Gratitude is something that will motivate the team, creates a sense of purpose, helps drive behaviour change and it will also lowers stress and anxiety.
Showing kindness in the workplace can improve organisational culture. Workplace are build on relationships. Thus interactions will shape our work experience. But we must not forget that connections fulfills the fundamental human needs which is the need to feel valued and appreciated.
No matter how good the gratitude culture is, there exist the so call gratitude gap because people don’t like to admit they need help at work, and thanking someone means admitting it.
Most management takes things for granted i.e. expect employees to perform, depends on teams to exceed expectations, and also trust leaders and managers to lead with courage.
There are many ways to show more gratitude at work like sending a note expressing gratitude, keeping a gratitude journal, and taking time out for reflection. Gratitude at work can also be encouraged by,
- offering thank you cards
- creating space for gratitude, be it physically or virtually
- counting blessings when things go wrong (find the silver lining)
- being grateful to the people not the performance
- learn to notice each person’s accomplishments
- tailoring the gratitude accordingly
- being specific in giving gratitude
- being sincere, do not fake it
Typically we are not taught to be grateful, especially at work. Showing gratitude is actually understanding vulnerability. In order to be grateful, we need to see people for who they really are; consciously connect work with a sense of higher purpose, and to always express gratitude. Expressing gratitude conveys genuine delight in a way that illuminates the unique value of its recipient. Saying thanks is a platitude whereas gratitude is an orientation towards life.
Reference
ccl.org (Gratitude at work, Cathleen Clerkin PhD, Nov 17, 2024)
carpedia.com (Gratitude as management skill, Jacques Gauthier)
2040digital.com (Mindful Management: The Power of Gratitude and Building Trust)
thesavageleader.com (Why leaders need to practice gratitude)
linkedin.com (The case for management by gratitude, Lily Garcia Walton)
