Gratitude – a cornerstone of the modern workplace
With the passage of time, leadership has assumed complex notions. The task isn’t restricted merely to advancing company objectives; showing care and compassion for your employees amidst myriad work-related assignments has gathered increasing weight. Employees thrive on being appreciated, and the importance of soft skills to communicate gratitude on the leaders’ end has become more important than ever.
The significance of being grateful in the work environment can hardly be disputed. Not only does it lead to employees feeling more valued, but leaders who are grateful can experience the following benefits:?
While all of this has been scientifically proven, there still remains a ‘gratitude gap’ at the workplace. Leaders experience hesitancy in expressing gratitude to their direct reports: a study found that 35% of people claim that their managers haven’t thanked them on a single occasion. Perhaps it has to do with a feeling of inadequacy that is linked to expressing gratitude for many – in a Harvard Business Review podcast , Adam Grant, Professor at Wharton Business School, opines that it might raise questions about a leader’s ability to do their work on their own. He says that for many, saying thanks to a colleague or a direct report means that they had to depend on the latter’s help to do what they were expected to do on their own.?
However, this is an outdated notion, and stops leaders from enjoying the many benefits that being grateful can accrue. After a director thanked employees for their work at a fundraising center, the number of calls increased by around 50% . It goes to show that there will be perks resultant from the practice of being grateful on both sides of the table – the employees’ and that of the leadership.
Leaders are no longer brutish taskmasters. Compassion is integral to modern leadership, and gratitude forms a big part of the same. If leaders wish to reap the benefits that being grateful holds, they must put the below steps into practice:
Write a letter to show gratitude
Oftentimes, leaders struggle to verbalize such complex social emotions. While they may feel grateful and may wish to express it too, feeling uncomfortable while giving voice to these emotions restrains them from doing so.
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When faced with such a problem, leaders must access the numerous instruments at hand today – text messages, voice notes, video clips, etc. (or letters if you’re old school) – to communicate their gratitude. Employees will absolutely not mind any way in which appreciation is expressed; it is bound to have a positive impact on them and make them feel valued.
Maintain a journal
Leadership is a whirlwind task. We are constantly occupied by one thing or the other, and tasks like communicating thankfulness often slip down the pecking order.
To ensure that an important duty like this receives the due attention, make a note of it. Writing a journal, or even keeping a simple list, can be an important end-of-the-day reminder to thank your employees. It is an effective way to not forget appreciating the latter, who deserve to be recognized for their dedication and commitment.
Keep time aside for ‘reflection’
When leaders dedicatedly ‘reflect’ on their journey and what it is they’re thankful for, it guarantees greater gratitude from their end. As a leader, we must try to allocate a daily, or weekly, time for reflection. It allows us to have a retrospective view of the work that we do, and the people who we must be thankful to for the position we have reached. Naturally, this will translate to us thanking our employees too, and ensure a more compassionate work environment.?
To ensure that employees feel comfortable and willing to communicate thankfulness, leaders must take certain steps. This may assume the form of a dedicated whiteboard, a fixed gratefulness meeting time, or even virtual spaces assigned for this exact purpose. To make the experience of every employee a kind and compassionate one, it is necessary that leaders strive to imbibe the feeling of gratitude among employees too.
Leadership has evolved beyond yesteryear notions attached to the task. Gratitude is no longer seen as a sign of weakness. Rather, it ensures that a leader is secure enough in their work to appreciate others without hesitation. By acknowledging the role that others have played in the position that you have reached, you make your employees feel seen, heard and valued.?
Director Central @ Tata 1mg | Business Strategy, Healthcare Operations
1 年Gratitude plays a crucial role in the workplace, leading to better health, increased productivity, and boosted self-confidence. It's unfortunate that many leaders still hesitate to express gratitude to their employees. I can relate to this challenge, having faced it myself. However, it's essential for leaders to cultivate a grateful mindset and effectively communicate their appreciation to their team members. Thank you for sharing these practical insights.