Tired already with the influx of seemingly opportunistic holiday thank-you’s as opposed to real gratitude? What? That coupon from your colleague for a mocha latte at Starbucks isn’t doing it for you? Well, no wonder. Like many of us, you might not be moved much by superficial displays of holiday season thank-you’s. Instead, what we really crave, and what has the most impact on us and our customers, is honest, thoughtful & respectful acknowledgement.
Gratitude Deficit Disorder
Despite all our good intentions and actions we recieve much more criticism than gratitude. Fast Company blogger Howie Jacobson identifies a global gratitude deficit disorder whereby people across every business sector are hungry for genuine appreciation and thanks. My own experience with clients from all walks of life and across 3 continents would tend to confirm this.
Bust out the Science
Research shows that folks who focus on feeling grateful benefit in many ways, including the physical, psychological and social realms. At the forefront of this research is Dr. Robert A Emmons. He uses science to show how feeling grateful can improve your health, thinking abilities and your relationships with other people.
How it Works in Business
In her blog, The Power of Grateful Forbes contributor Erika Andersen connects the dots between gratitude and world of work:
- Leaders who are grateful tend to behave in ways that inspire “followership”;
- Grateful leaders tend to be passionate – their sense of possibility and hope translates into the ability to commit deeply;
- Grateful leaders tend to be generous – their appreciation for what’s working tends to manifest in generosity with praise, credit, resources and faith;
- Passion & generosity are the two most attractive qualities in a leader: we feel supported and included in the grateful leader’s hopeful view of the world.
- Colleagues who are grateful – who focus more on what’s working and on the contributions of others as opposed to complaining, dismissing and blaming – are simply more pleasant to be around.
- Grateful people are more likely to build strong ties of mutual support with others and are able to call upon those ties to get things done.
Roll it Out
So: no matter whether you’re leading a team, an organization or a cubicle, an attitude of gratitude is the way to go. Between now and the end of the year, how can you communicate your appreciation? How can you fill the far-reaching hunger for gratitude? How can you catch people doing good things? How can you notice the contributions of those around you? Spend five minutes now and make a list of the folks at work – colleagues, customers, vendors – that you are sincerely grateful towards. Then create an action plan to show your appreciation, with no hidden agenda.
Give the gift that keeps on giving. You, your company and your career will benefit.
Happy Holidays!
