Cultivating Gratitude at Work

November 8, 2019 | Stories of thanks Kate Washut, CEO, Far Reach, kate@farreachinc.com

Most of us were raised to say, “Thank you,” when we’re the recipient of kind words or deeds. But this simple gesture can sometimes be missing in the workplace. The benefits of having an “attitude of gratitude”— including psychological and physical health improvements, an increase in empathy and reduced stress—are well-documented. But it takes a purposeful effort to bring this grateful mindset into your business.

These simple strategies can help you get started:

  • Lead by example – A simple but thoughtful hand-written note from a leader can do a lot for a team member’s sense of purpose.
  • Thank the thankless – Those in the spotlight who tend to get all the accolades rarely do what they do in a bubble—there’s typically a lot of heavy lifting done in the background. Recognizing the efforts of those behind the scenes can go a long way in maintaining their motivation.
  • Be specific – Tie your gratitude to outcomes if you can to reinforce positive behaviors and add value over the long run.
  • Keep it up, even when everyone is busy – Gratitude can be a big motivator when the team is in crunch mode.
  • Make it easy – All-company meetings or even a simple online platform for giving ad-hoc shout outs are great ways to encourage the team to show their appreciation.

Give it a try and I think you’ll see that the impact of cultivating a culture of gratitude at work can have a positive effect on engagement, productivity and your bottom line—and it doesn’t have to be hard (or costly).