"THANK YOU"

 

Showing a little gratitude in the office could be the simplest, yet most effective way to boost morale and promote a healthy culture. Yet, many leaders hesitate to show their appreciation.

Many wonder why they should show gratitude just because an employee does his job. Others worry that showing appreciation could backfire. “If I thank her for a job well done, she may expect a pay raise.”

When you are working on creating a fantastic workplace culture, encouraging employees to say thanks to one another might not be top of your priority list. Sure, it is nice to receive a thank you from somebody, but how much difference is that really going to make?

The answer is a lot. According to a Gallup poll, 65 percent of the people say they do not feel appreciated at work. That feeling can fast translate into negativity, which is contagious and can quickly create low morale. The result of that? Low productivity, which has a direct impact on business performance.

The Benefits of Workplace Gratitude

That attitude is unfortunate because a simple "thank you" offers benefits on an individual and at an organizational level. Here are a few science-backed benefits of gratitude:- 

• Thanking employees increases productivity. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania discovered that grateful leaders motivate their employees to be more productive. In one study involving fundraising calls, employees who were thanked by their managers made 50% more fundraising calls than their co-workers.

• Gratitude improves well-being. Many studies have linked gratitude to better physical health. Grateful people tend to have lower blood pressure, improved immunity, and healthier hearts. Some studies even suggest gratitude can help you live longer

• Gratitude builds mental strength. Studies show grateful people are more resilient. They are better equipped to manage stress and they experience fewer toxic emotions, like resentment and envy.

• Generosity is contagious. When leaders show appreciation and gratitude, there is likely to be a ripple effect. Studies show cooperative and altruistic behaviour spreads from person to person. Showing gratitude toward someone is likely to inspire that person to thank other people.

• Gratitude increases job satisfaction. Research has linked gratitude to increased job satisfaction. When people feel appreciated when they are shown appreciation for what they have done, they are more likely to be happy with their jobs.

How to Show Genuine Gratitude?

Infusing gratitude into the workplace needs to start at the top. When leaders express gratitude to employees, both the giver and the receiver benefit.

But it is important to show gratitude in an authentic and helpful manner. Unfortunately, many organizations provide impersonal 'thank you’ that are not heartfelt.

That is why those mugs handed out over the holidays that say something like, "We appreciate you," are likely to meet with an eye roll. And that little pin that everyone gets for staying employed for 10 years does not do much to boost morale either. Small ‘tokens of appreciation’ like those feel artificial and forced.

Even holiday parties that are meant to express employee appreciation often are not well attended (unless they are mandatory). Forced fun and generic platitudes do not help people feel truly appreciated. Thanking people simply because a project is complete or because you feel put on the spot would not do anyone any good. Gratitude needs to be authentic.

So rather than offering a general, “Thank you for all your hard work,” during a meeting, be specific. Say, “I would like to thank Jenny for staying late on Tuesday so we get the photocopier fixed,” or “Thank you, Kyle, for always getting the room set up for our meetings.”

Remember that not everyone likes to be thanked publicly. A private thank you might be more meaningful than a public declaration.

Send an email just to show your appreciation. Or, write a simple thank-you note by hand and leave it on someone’s desk.

When you make gratitude an authentic gesture, amazing things can happen. Not only will you feel better, but the people around you become inspired to do better. And that simple 'thank you' can go a long way to improving your company's culture.

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