Gratitude's role
I wrestle with gratitude expression.
Leaders are responsible for helping others grow and achieve the mission. Yet when my team accomplishes its goals, sometimes I don't thank them enough.
Through the hustle and bustle, gratitude slips through the cracks.
Instead of celebrating success, sometimes we focus on what's next or what could be even better. It's unfortunate because gratitude makes us happy.
Dr. Robert Emmons, professor of psychology at the University of California Davis, performed a study where three groups of participants were asked to log either 1) their hassles, 2) things they were grateful for, or 3) neutral life events. According to the results, "the gratitude-outlook groups exhibited heightened well-being across several, though not all, of the outcome measures," which suggests that "a conscious focus on blessings may have emotional and interpersonal benefits."
Indeed, practicing gratitude is a simple way to improve one's own happiness.
Replace complaints with thanks.
Showing appreciation to other people can impact their well-being: When people feel seen, heard, and understood, they feel valued and do their best work.
Jeff Weiner, executive chairman at LinkedIn, sums it up:
And, interestingly, the law of reciprocity states that when you appreciate others, they'll appreciate you back.
Gratitude's role in leadership is to create a positive environment for happy, high-performing teams.
As I reflect on ways I can express gratitude, I'm reminded of how in 2019 I wrote in my Five-Minute Journal three things I was grateful for every day. Therefore, I'm capable of expressing gratitude—but my co-workers, clients, friends, and family could also benefit if I shared my thoughts of appreciation about them more often.
This week, what opportunities will you have to express gratitude to people close to you?
Anthony
Work Smart, Lead Better
Ideas on strategy, collaboration, mental fitness.
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