Can Practicing Gratitude Make You a Better Leader?

The holiday season is a time of year when I feel especially grateful. Starting at Thanksgiving I find myself reflecting on the past year and acknowledging what I am most thankful for. My family, friends, and good health always top the list. As does my work team. When I actively think about how grateful I am for this bounty in my life, I feel better. And when I actually say thank you to the people who enrich my life, I feel even better.

Saying thank you and please is one of the first few things we’re taught as children, yet the practice seems to somehow get lost in the workplace. Too often leaders hesitate to show genuine appreciation. The reality is that practicing gratitude can make you a better leader. It allows you to celebrate your accomplishments while appreciating the people who helped you achieve your success. When you frequently tell your employees that their contributions matter you create a culture which enables your workers to thrive.?

Numerous studies have shown practicing gratitude is linked to happiness, improved health, resiliency, stronger relationships, lower stress levels, increased productivity, and so much more. A study from the University of Pennsylvania shows when leaders are grateful to their employees, the employees are 50% more successful. Think about the power a few kind words can have on your employees’ morale and success rates.

What does gratitude look like in action? Here are some easy ways to make gratitude a part of your everyday life.

Show Interest

A surefire way to express gratitude to your employees is by taking an active interest in their lives. Get to know them and ask them questions about their life outside of work.???Express interest in what they’re interested in, what makes them happy and how they’re doing overall. If you can find ways to connect with them beyond their work, you’re showing them that you care about them as a person and that you’re invested in their overall well-being.

Be Authentic

The more genuine and pointed you can be in expressing your gratitude, the better. Vague feedback and compliments can’t address specific behaviors or actions an employee has taken. Instead, tell your employee about why you are grateful. As an example, “Thanks John, for taking the time to work through the feedback from the client meeting - they appreciated your attention to detail and willingness to explore all available options” which is more meaningful than “Thanks, John. Great job!”

Reflect

Take the time to reflect on how you’ve been able to execute a new idea, remembering that without assistance, you may not have been as successful. Reflection is an excellent way to strengthen a grateful mind. The more you take time to appreciate where you are, the more natural it becomes in all areas of your life. Remember, the only way to feel grateful is to be grateful.

Listen Carefully

Allow your team the opportunity to provide regular feedback and ideas. If you allow them space to feel comfortable enough to share their opinions and listen to their input when it comes time to make decisions, employees will feel that their voice matters.

When practiced daily and authentically, gratitude can help teams work harder, work smarter and feel more connected to their work. Active listening is a good place to start.

Encourage Experimentation

I’m a believer that people should foster their curiosity and experiment with new ideas.?Of course, not every new initiative will be successful, but it will undoubtedly lead to a lot of learning along the way. When someone within your team voices their opinion, show your enthusiasm by asking them to tell you more. Even if it does not seem right at first or does not match your opinion, do not reject it forthright. Rather, help them evaluate their own ideas using a framework to make better decisions.

Managers that showcase gratitude by fostering a growth mindset within the workplace make people feel safe to raise their hands and share their viewpoint, to experiment, to explore, and most importantly to value their contribution without judging it based on specific outcomes. When they try something new – a new strategy or a challenging project – recognize it, regardless of whether it leads to success or not.

Numerous studies have found that leaders who express appreciation are more influential, respected, and happier. A Glassdoor survey found that 81% of employees said they would work harder for a grateful boss. There are so many ways to show your gratitude and enjoy the benefits in the workplaces. Try out some of these approaches to see what works best for you and your team. Remember that gratitude is a powerful force. And sometimes saying thank you is all you need to do to get started.