As Thanksgiving approaches, it\u2019s common to reflect upon the things and people that we are thankful for. What seems like such a simple activity can actually be incredibly beneficial for individuals. Considering the things that we value can reaffirm the reasons why we are doing something and remind us of goals we are working towards. This positive shift in perspective can be comforting for individuals who are struggling, and the act of reflecting shouldn\u2019t be overlooked.<\/p>\n
It shouldn\u2019t come as a surprise then that showing gratitude in the workplace can be just as beneficial and impactful for employees as well as employers. This article will break down the reasons why showing gratitude is important and list some examples of easy ways to show your appreciation for others in the office.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s face it \u2013 nobody likes to work in an environment where they feel like their efforts go unnoticed. What\u2019s the point of working hard when it doesn\u2019t seem to make a difference? When employees don\u2019t feel properly acknowledged for their hard work, a culture of low workplace morale can begin to form. Over time, low morale can lead to increased tension and frustration which might ultimately force employees to quit. As turnover is quite costly for employers, it\u2019s important to prevent low morale and ensure that the workplace remains a positive environment for employees.<\/p>\n
Whereas the term \u201cappreciation\u201d refers simply to the act of acknowledging something good in one\u2019s life, the term \u201cgratitude\u201d recognizes why <\/em>something is good, often because an external force contributed to the positivity. An example of appreciation could look like: \u201cI appreciate that we were able to book this client,\u201d while an example of gratitude could look like: \u201cI am grateful for my team members who worked hard on this presentation that led to booking this client.\u201d<\/p>\n The idea of showing gratitude in the office might seem counterintuitive or even inappropriate, given the strict ideas of hierarchy and professional that are engrained into individuals about what a job is \u201csupposed\u201d to look like. Why would it make sense to show gratitude to an employee who is doing exactly what they\u2019re paid to do? Wouldn\u2019t be uncomfortable or overly personal to show gratitude?<\/p>\n Evidence would prove otherwise. Berkely University describes the case<\/a> of Southwest Airlines, voted America\u2019s #13 Best Employer of 2018. Factors that lead to this distinction included that Southwest Airlines would regularly go the extra mile for employees to show its appreciation for the hard work they do. This show of appreciation included sending flowers and cards for personal milestones in the employee\u2019s life, whether that was graduation, marriage, or the death of a loved one.<\/p>\n When individuals feel acknowledged, seen, and appreciated by their employer, they tend to work harder and be more committed to the company. Creating a positive work environment tends to lead to better output from employees, and regularly showing gratitude to employees can contribute to better day-to-day morale and overall organization success.<\/p>\n Showing gratitude can have effects that expand past than the workplace. Forbes<\/a> lists the following benefits for individuals that are direct or indirect results of showing gratitude in the office:<\/p>\n We\u2019ve established that showing gratitude is important in the workplace, but how do we go about showing it? Saying \u201cthank you\u201d often is an easy way of showing appreciation, but putting increased effort<\/a> into expressing gratitude can have a greater impact, such as greeting employees when they enter and leave the office; surprising employees with lunch or coffee; and respecting employees\u2019 time by running meetings that start and end on time.<\/p>\n Another important aspect of gratitude is showing employees that they are respected. Gestures can seem empty if there isn\u2019t a foundation of respect underneath, and while it might seem obvious, it\u2019s important to recognize that employees are human<\/a>s<\/a> with unique passions, hopes, and dreams who seek validation from others. We all want and deserve to be treated with respect, and the workplace is no different!<\/p>\n Other ways to show gratitude include offering unsolicited and positive feedback, expressing appreciation in front of others, writing a note or email, and being there to help and support when needed.<\/p>\nWhy is Showing Gratitude Important?<\/h2>\n
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Ways to Show Gratitude in the Workplace<\/h2>\n
Bhr Consulting<\/h2>\n