Gratitude: A Powerful Tool for Improving Productivity
Statistics show that expressing gratitude not only improves your ability to divert behaviors like fear, blame, and anxiety, it’s also an important tool in driving workplace productivity.
A 2013 Gallup report detailed how “engaged employees” are responsible for the majority of the innovation and productive energy driving highly successful organizations. Yet, 7 in 10 workers are characterized as “not engaged,” or emotionally disconnected from their team and workplaces.
It’s crucial to team success that leaders develop the strengths and enhance the well-being of their employees. Conveying the message that the work, time, and effort provided by employees is valued and appreciated is a big part of this. Hence, one of the most cost effective and impactful ways of encouraging and developing this kind of employee engagement is through gratitude.
In order to foster a “culture of gratitude” in the workplace you must first evaluate how it operates in your own life. Ascertain what you are grateful for; evaluate yourself for an attitude of gratitude; also practice showing feelings of appreciation.
WHY IS GRATITUDE WORTH MAKING THE EFFORT?
It’s important to remember that we can’t motivate others. We can only create environments that are motivating. Employees want to do their best and value acknowledgement and appreciation of their contributions. In the context of a work team, this encourages synergy, improves decision-making, and enhances performance. The #1 benefit of gratitude is that we can’t feel gratitude and be miserable at the same time. Being more grateful and expressing it is a part of happiness and not surprisingly, also important to being successful.
Gratitude Habits
Be positive
Choose your mood. Also be sincere in showing your appreciation. Learn to show gratitude as a way of connecting with your work team.
Use encouragement
Appreciate the things your team members or employees do best. When someone does something kind, amazing, or difficult for you or others on the team, recognize it and be specific. A generic “good job” doesn’t mean as much as, “the image you chose for slide four told the perfect story. It added so much value to the presentation.”
Be proactive
Model gratitude in the workplace and encourage team members to do the same.. If you’re part of running a meeting, keep it short and sweet to show others that you appreciate and respect their time. Be gracious when accepting gratitude. This may take some practice. Simply saying, “Thank you” is often enough. Acknowledge your part and other’s in the bigger picture.
Customize the gratitude you show each individual
Some employees will like public praise or compliments; others will prefer tangible things, like a hand-written note or an email to senior leaders. Therefore, be specific and measurable in showing gratitude to someone as there are all types of ways to do this genuinely and effectively.
For this and much more Information relating to employability skills, employment opportunities, career advancement and entrepreneurship development; Join our Telegram and WhatsApp groups, and also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Culled from: Bridge Between.