Have you ever heard the saying, “Give a gift with an open hand, so you can receive with an open heart”?
Being grateful is a powerful thing.
Gratitude allows us to come from a place where we show our appreciation to someone or something. It’s that moment when we pause to say “thank you” and mean it.
Karl Sun wrote an article entitled, “Creating a Culture of Gratitude in the Workplace.” You can view the article here.
Let’s face it. We like to be acknowledged and recognized for our efforts, especially in the workplace. We want people to notice and appreciate what we do. And when that appreciation comes from leadership, it means they see us and care.
Maybe you are the kind of person who doesn’t need a lot of recognition. But when you have spent the last three weeks working extra hours and weekends to help make sure that project is delivered on time, it would be nice to get a “Thank You for all of the extra time you ….” message from your boss.
It’s one thing to say “thank you,” but it’s another thing to mean it.
Next time you want to thank someone for their efforts, for going above and beyond, or for doing a great job, say, “I want to thank you for <insert what they did> because <what it means to you/your organization.”
Don’t let the “thank you” live in isolation!
Instead, let it mean something by stating what you are thanking them for and why you are thanking them.
Lastly, remember any time we thank someone, we want to make sure we are thanking them authentically. If it comes across as “fake” or “contrived,” your efforts will fall flat, and you won’t improve the relationship. In fact, you will damage it.
One of my former bosses used to say, “It doesn’t take a lot to say thank you to someone.”
She made it a point to let people know she was grateful for their efforts and she always meant it. You knew if she took the time to say thank you in person, by phone, or by email, she truly meant it.
Little things can start making a big change. Being grateful and expressing your gratitude toward team members in meaningful ways can really make a difference over time.
I challenge you to create a culture of gratitude in your workplace.
Find ways to be authentically grateful and find ways to express that gratitude differently in ways that people will notice.
You just might find yourself being grateful you did it!
What is your favorite way to express your gratitude in the workplace? Comment in the box below and share your ideas with our readers.