Benefits and Challenges of Expressing Gratitude at Work

Hey,

Before I delve into the topic of today, and in the spirit of thanksgiving, I want to seize this opportunity to show my gratitude to you. Your support, subscription, engagement, and feedback do not go unnoticed. I truly appreciate you.

Gratitude is that positive emotion we get or feeling of being thankful and appreciative for what we have or receive. It makes us happier, healthier, and more productive. One thing to remember about gratitude is that it is not just a reaction to something good, but also a mindset and a habit that we can cultivate and practice.

In this newsletter, I will share with you some of the benefits and challenges of expressing gratitude at work and some tips on how to do it right.

Benefits of gratitude at work

Lots of research has shown that gratitude at work can have many positive effects. They include:

• Boosting productivity and motivation: A study from Harvard University and Wharton showed that receiving a “thank you” from a supervisor boosted productivity by more than 50 percent. Another study found that employees who experience more gratitude at work report fewer depressive symptoms and stress. Most of the bosses I've had in the course of my career were big on gratitude. This motivated me to go above and beyond in my work. The beautiful thing about this is that it is the same feeling when the appreciation comes from a colleague or teammate.
• Enhancing teamwork and collaboration: Gratitude fosters a sense of belonging, trust, and reciprocity among coworkers. Another study from the University of Washington shows that when a person felt appreciated in the office, they had higher job satisfaction and quality of life. Another study found that gratitude can increase prosocial behavior and reduce aggression in the workplace. You can agree with me that some of the best people you work(ed) with are not just hard-working but are grateful and positive people.
• Improving health and well-being: Gratitude also benefits our physical and mental health. In my last post, a lot of people talked about gratitude journaling and how it has been a game-changer for them. Regular gratitude journaling has been shown to result in a 5% to 15% increase in optimism and a 25% increase in sleep quality. Gratitude has also been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the immune system. When you are well rested, positive, and healthy, you bring your best self to anything you do whether it's work, family, social events, etc.

Challenges of gratitude at work

Going through the benefits of gratitude, you might think how easy it is to express gratitude at work. But you and I know that expressing gratitude at work can be challenging, especially in a competitive, stressful, or toxic environment. Some of the common challenges are:

• Feeling awkward or insincere: Have you ever wanted to appreciate someone at work and feel uncomfortable or embarrassed to say thank you? You're not alone! Sometimes, we even worry that our gratitude may be perceived as fake, manipulative, or brown-nosing. As a result, we often leave off showing our appreciation to others.
• Lacking time or opportunity: These days, our work settings are busy and fast-paced. As a result, we may not have enough time or opportunity to express our gratitude. Oftentimes, we even forget to do so or take things for granted.
• Overdoing or underdoing it: Personally, this one tops the list. Finding the right balance and frequency of expressing gratitude can be tricky. Here's why: If we overdo it, we may lose credibility, sincerity, or impact. If we underdo it, we may miss the chance to acknowledge, appreciate, or motivate others. And because we can't find the right balance, we carry the gratitude in our hearts. (Sound familiar?)

Tips for expressing gratitude at work

These challenges often make us leave off appreciating others, carry the gratitude in our hearts, or even forget to express our gratitude especially when we keep putting it off in our search for the perfect moment, words, or manner. So, how can we overcome these challenges and express gratitude at work effectively? Here are some tips that work:

• Start Small: Begin by incorporating simple acts of gratitude. A heartfelt 'thank you' note or acknowledgment during team meetings does more than you can imagine.
• Lead by Example: Leadership sets the tone. Encourage a culture of appreciation by demonstrating it yourself. Don't always wait for others to appreciate you. Proactively seek reasons, ways, and channels to appreciate others. You'll soon notice that others will follow suit.
• Be specific and genuine: Instead of saying "Thank you for your work", say "Thank you for completing the report on time and with great quality. It really helped me prepare for the presentation". Be specific about what you are grateful for, and why each time you want to express gratitude. Also, let your tone and words show that you are sincere and authentic. Here's a rule of thumb - Don't say thank you if you don't mean it, or if you have ulterior motives.
• Use different methods and channels: Emails, phone calls, text messaging, chat, or face-to-face are some of the channels you can use to express gratitude at work. Certain methods like verbal, in writing, in public, or in private also work. It's important that you choose the method and channel that suits best depending on the situation and the person. For example, you may want to thank your boss in person, but thank your colleague in an email.
• Make it a habit and a culture: Setting reminders, keeping a gratitude journal, or creating a gratitude wall are some of the ways that can help you make a habit of expressing gratitude. It should be a regular practice and a part of the organizational culture. To make it a culture, try encouraging and rewarding gratitude among your team, department, or company.

Conclusion

Expressing gratitude at work might seem like a subtle shift, but its impact is profound. Gratitude is a powerful force that builds stronger bonds, improves performance and productivity, and creates a work environment filled with genuine appreciation.

What are your thoughts and experiences on gratitude at work?

Please feel free to leave a comment, share this newsletter, or send me a message.

Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for the next newsletter!