Gratitude in the Workplace
As World Gratitude Day approaches on Saturday - September 21, it is a reminder to not just celebrate it on that day, but to also deliberately cultivate a practice to increase our wellbeing and engagement at work.
Research has shown the experience of gratitude can have a range of outcomes:
- Increased happiness
- Increased feeling of connectedness and improved relationships
- Increased energy, alertness and enthusiasm
- Success in achieving personal goals
- Better coping with stress
- Greater sense of purpose and resilience
Here are some suggestions for making it a central feature of your workplace:
- keep a gratitude journal
- be vulnerable and tell a colleague at work what you are thankful for
- create a gratitude wall at work and attach notes to record what you and your team are grateful for
- regularly provide praise to your team
- facilitate a gratitude meditation at your next meeting
- for more ideas: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_can_transform_your_workplace
Today’s employees expect more than a transactional relationship with their organisations and their leaders. Connection is intrinsic to everyone and can bring meaning and purpose. Let’s use our connections at work to express our gratitude.