Don’t underestimate the power of this key leadership skill

Before I was ever aware of gratitude as a leadership skill, I was learning it as a life skill from my mom. Everyone raved about her thank you notes, always saying how specific, personal and genuine they were. I saw how special she made people feel, and I’ve been trying to emulate that ever since.

When it comes to running a business, some people seem to forget about the so called soft skills that are so important to being an effective leader. I’m a big believer in how EQ (emotional intelligence) can often be more important than IQ. Practicing gratitude plays a huge role in this equation. After all, if your team doesn’t know how much you appreciate them, they will be less engaged in their work.

Sadly, low employee engagement is the norm in the U.S. Earlier in the year, Gallup reported that only 38% of employees were engaged at work, and that’s actually considered a big improvement over recent years. However, as the pandemic has lingered and we’ve witnessed historic social unrest, we’ve seen a decline in that engagement rate, with only 31% of people enthusiastic and committed at work. That means 2 out of every 3 people are disengaged from their work and report they don’t like their jobs – that is tragic.

We can do better. That’s why I am constantly in search of ways to show every Flyer just how grateful I am to have them on board.

Most recently, we delivered Gratitude Gift Boxes to everyone who works at Radio Flyer. They included Work From Home mugs, FUNomenal QuaranTEAM t-shirts and other day brighteners to remind them that even though we’re not together, their hard work is far from unnoticed. Additionally, after turning 51 this year, I took advantage of the extra time at home and sent hand-written notes thanking many people who have helped me throughout my life.

When things were “business as usual” back at Radio Flyer HQ, we made expressing gratitude a regular occurrence with a whole host of different practices. In ideating on these, we make sure they’re specific, sincere, and in some way reinforcing the core values of Radio Flyer. Examples include...

• We’ve made it a policy for managers to elevate the good work of their direct reports so that I can personally send them a handwritten note or an in-person thank you
• We design unique, playful note cards every year to recognize employee work anniversaries, and I sign each one
• At our annual goals and strategy session that kicks off every year, Flyers are greeted with a gift along with an inspiring quote that relates to what we’re working on that day
• Our Gold Wagon program helps to encourage peer to peer gratitude, which is equally as important as the gratitude expressed by myself and other leaders

It’s with practices like these that I’m still drawing on those lessons from my mom, recognizing just how valued and respected a gesture of gratitude can make someone feel.

Fellow leaders – we can’t do the work we do alone. How are you practicing gratitude during this difficult time away from your employees?