Gratitude and business

I am usually a grateful person: more in my personal life than in the workplace. However, Eric Mosley's article in Forbes called "The Business Impact of Gratitude" has got me thinking about the cumulative effect of gratitude and how that could be good for business.

The power of gratitude in the workplace is crucial as it satisfies the higher psychological need for employees to feel a sense of belonging and meaning at work. This desire for meaning is part of an organizational and psychological shift towards a more human workplace, where employees feel appreciated, valued, respected, and empowered to reach their fullest potential.

Gratitude goes hand in hand with the act of giving recognition, as it makes us even more appreciative and inspires the person we've thanked to give that feeling to someone else, leading to a swell in happiness, well-being, morale, energy, and engagement, all of which directly influence performance, productivity, and retention. This is the gratitude effect: a ripple of acknowledgment and appreciation that surges forward, transforming and inspiring us, and improving business outcomes.

The act of giving recognition can be even more transformative than the act of receiving it. Dr. Robert Emmons, professor of psychology at University of California, Davis, characterizes gratitude as "the ultimate touchpoint of human existence … and the ultimate performance-enhancing substance." When you thank someone, you're creating what New York Times best-selling author Dan Heath calls "a defining moment," not just for the receiver but also for yourself.

Leaders should model the habit of frequent and widespread expressions of recognition and appreciation to inspire others throughout the organization to emulate that behavior. Three tips for getting started include never underestimate the power of "thank you," look beyond the 'big wins' to uncover lower-profile contributions that also deserve appreciation and recognition, and give recognition to those who habitually recognize others.

I'm going to make an effort to practice gratitude in every aspect of my life. What are you going to do?

Read the full article at The Business Impact of Gratitude