The Surprising Power of Gratitude In Your Career & Business
First of all, thank you for being here and reading this. I am grateful that you are!
Expressing gratitude feels so darn good whether you are dishing it out or soaking it up. When I first thought about the concept of gratitude and the benefits it can have for you, I wondered if expressing gratitude for your own benefit makes it less selfless. But I determined no, it doesn’t.
Because with gratitude, there's plenty of good to go around. Feeling happy after you’ve done a good deed does not negate the goodness of the deed!
There are so many benefits to expressing gratitude for yourself, for your career and for your business.
Now that it’s time for the holidays, it is a natural time to think about gratitude. The reality is, we can tap in all the time.
What do I mean when I talk about gratitude? It’s simple really. I mean taking note of the people and things around you that are helpful, good, and uplifting. It’s easy to miss these things sometimes when we don’t pay attention.
You can choose to be deliberate about noticing.
Express Gratitude To Become A Better Leader
The Global Happiness Council reported a 10% increase in the productivity of workers with a meaningful sense of well-being that occurs when leadership expresses gratitude.
Leaders have the opportunity to create a culture of gratitude. One of my pillars of career satisfaction is ‘Making a Difference.’ People are happier when they believe they make a real contribution and that their work has meaning. It’s up to us as leaders to show those working around us that they are valued and appreciated. That’s when people bring their best.
We’ve heard a lot about people being disengaged at work right now. They’re calling it “quiet quitting.” The easiest way to reengage employees is to notice the work they do. The number one reason that people leave their jobs is issues with their boss. By frequently expressing gratitude you can become the solution instead of the problem.
Gratitude is very important to me. It really started at the beginning of the pandemic when we were afraid to go out and I spent all my time at home. I became so aware of how lucky I was to be able to stay in my safe bubble. I have a comfortable home. I saw my clients virtually anyway. My husband went to the grocery store. Not a lot had changed in terms of my own safety and security.
When I thought about first responders, health care workers, people on the frontlines, and those who were getting sick - I felt really guilty. I realized then that the flipside of guilt is gratitude. So, I decided to instead tap into my gratitude and that released the negativity resulting from guilt to make room for helping others through that difficult time.
It’s a daily practice for me now. I touch base with what I’m thankful for every day at the start of every day - both big and small things. It helps me set intentions for the day ahead. It just makes me happier.
I believe that gratitude is the tide that lifts all things.
How Gratitude Benefits Your Career
What it really comes down to is, when you express gratitude, people want to be around you. People want to work for you.
As I’ve said, it makes you a stronger leader. It gives you the chance to build strong foundations and human connections with your peers and co-workers if/when you do need to have more difficult conversations or provide corrective feedback.
When you show you are a positive force and a great leader, it’s more likely that you’ll be considered for the raises and promotions that you desire.
3 Tips For Expressing Gratitude
Embrace the power of “thank you.” Model the habit of frequent, widespread, and sincere gratitude by saying “thank you” to those who contribute to your success.
Look for lower-profile contributions that deserve recognition. They don’t need to be earth-shattering. Oftentimes, recognizing the tasks and people who usually go unnoticed (or are taken for granted) is the most powerful.
Give recognition to those who recognize others. This is an easy way to create a ripple effect and a real culture of gratitude.
I believe so firmly in the power of showing gratitude, that I invite you to prove me wrong.
Give gratitude a try. I know it will be worth the experience.
P.S. Hey leaders, after you’ve mastered the art of gratitude, give fun a try too!