Gratitude matters.

This topic was inspired by a Facebook video posted by my middle school gym teacher. Even after 25 years, he has the same energy, enthusiasm and commitment to others as he did when I was a child. He’s a hero and could go toe-to-toe with the best motivational speakers out there. Thanks Coach!

As a child my parents fostered strong values in our home. Among those values were manners and gratitude. We were expected to say please and thank you when appropriate. Because this began at an early age, and was a part of my upbringing, it became part of who I am and it never seemed like a big deal. Saying thanks and being gracious is just a reflex, but it has been a valuable asset in life and work. I encourage you at every possible opportunity to give thanks and be grateful for what others do for you. In fact, as you build your career give thanks, to people you work with, people you work for and of course people who work for you.

When one accepts a job they look at the big picture and consider, total compensation, bonus, profit share, equity, benefits, 401k contribution, advancement opportunities, vacation time and so on. Intangibles are becoming increasingly important to everyone, not just millennials. Among those intangibles is the factor of gratitude. While a solid, stable paycheck and rewarding work are requisites, a missing part of culture in many companies is gratitude. Don’t get me wrong, things like free lunches and team building activities are great, but I think that businesses can differentiate themselves by developing and fostering a culture that puts gratitude first.

There have been periods of time where the only spoken or written thanks I noticed were from eager sales professionals for whom I took some time out of my schedule to review their solution. Thanks should be given without expectation. Real gratitude is expressed when you share your feelings that you have been helped in some way, large or small. Showing and expressing thanks is easy and cheap, in fact it is free.  

Often gratitude comes in the form of structured recognition, which is great. Those who go above and beyond their call of duty should be recognized for their contributions and commitment to the company and their colleagues.  But even the average employee who does not go above and beyond deserves people to recognize their work. In the world of business it can often feel like an every person for themselves situation. That’s another cultural element that should be addressed and fixed, but that’s a separate topic. However, as a company is building, or rebuilding their culture I suggest that you really consider the importance of adding gratitude to your company values. Even organizations that manage with structured formal reviews should consider adding gratitude as an expectation of normal business.  

So next time you take a stroll to the water cooler, stop by someone’s desk and express your gratitude for something that helped you or the company. Do you see much gratitude in your company? Do you agree that gratitude is missing in business? Please drop your comments below and let’s discuss!