According to
Brown, people who have the capacity to lean fully into joy have one variable in
common: They practice gratitude. But beyond just thinking about what you’re
grateful for, they act. They make sure they are doing something tangible and
observable. “It’s not an attitude of gratitude,” Brown writes in Dare to Lead, it’s “an actual practice. They keep a
journal, or make a note of what they are grateful for on their phone, or share
it with their family members. Ask yourself: How can I act on my gratitude this
holiday season?
Gratitude is a
key factor for living a life filled with positivity. Practicing gratitude in
the workplace brings about many positive effects. Feeling valued and
appreciated is a fundamental human need of employees. Appreciated employees
tend to be more loyal, productive, and satisfied in their roles.
Promoting
gratitude in the workplace can be a bit of a challenge. It’s hard for employees
to remember to practice gratitude – especially during a rough day at the
office. The easiest way for you to help employees feel and express gratitude is
by leading by example. Here are a few ways to cultivate gratitude at your
company:
Look for
opportunities to celebrate success. This
could be a newsletter shout-out to an employee who contributed to their team or
throwing an appreciation party for employees to celebrate their tenure. Be sure
to look out for small successes that will make employees feel special.
Support
peer-to-peer recognition. Encourage
employees to create shout-outs or thankyou notes for their colleagues. Provide
employees with printouts that they can fill out and give to one another. Ask
employees to give out at least one thank-you note a week.
Get
employees involved in community service projects. Volunteering is a powerful way to
promote gratitude. Provide employees with information on local organizations
that are looking for volunteers. If you are able to, coordinate a team outing
for employees to volunteer together.
Offer
education about benefits of gratitude. Send
out blog posts, articles, and research studies on the benefits of gratitude.
Employees will be more inclined to practice gratitude once they understand its
benefits.
Reinforce
random acts of kindness at work. Recognize
employees who go out of their way to help a co-worker or make someone smile.
Kindness is contagious!
Although
gratitude might sound like a cheesy topic, research has proved that it can
truly impact a person’s mental and physical wellbeing, as well as their work
performance. Maintaining an attitude of gratitude releases dopamine in the
brain, which in turn boosts feelings of wellbeing, increases optimism, and
improves physical health.
Employees who feel appreciated by their employers and colleagues tend to be happier and more enthusiastic with their work. They are motivated to do a better job and contribute to the success of their company.