When was the last time you were thanked for your contributions at work? When was the last time you expressed gratitude to another coworker?
Gratitude brings many benefits to our lives. Expressing gratitude and cultivating it in ourselves has been linked to increased happiness, improved physical and mental health, better quality of sleep, and greater life satisfaction.
Okay, so we know gratitude is good for our health and happiness. It’s a natural anti-depressant. It strengthens relationships and deepens joyful moments of life. But what is it about gratitude that makes it a complete GAME-CHANGER in the workplace? Consider the following stats:
93% of people agree that grateful bosses are more likely to succeed.
88% of people say that expressing gratitude to colleagues makes them feel happier and more fulfilled.
81% of people would work harder for a grateful boss.
The No. 1 reason why people leave jobs is that they don’t feel appreciated.
One study from Harvard University and Wharton showed that receiving a “thank you” from a supervisor boosted productivity by more than 50%. But only 10% of people who express gratitude make it a daily habit at work and 60% of people report that they never or rarely express gratitude at work.
Despite a wealth of evidence that gratitude is one of the most powerful tools in your emotional toolkit, people are less likely to show gratitude at work than anywhere else.
A 2019 study published in Sustainability showed that workers who practiced gratitude performed at a higher level than their less grateful counterparts. In addition, they were also more satisfied with their jobs.
A recently published study led by Lauren Locklear found that a 10-day gratitude journaling exercise reduced impolite behavior in the workplace. That is, coworkers noted that those who completed the gratitude exercise were less likely to engage in gossip and acts of workplace mistreatment, showing the benefits of gratitude journaling.
"Gratitude is the ultimate touchpoint of human existence. It is the ultimate performance-enhancing substance." – Robert Emmons, the "Father of Gratitude"
If being happier, healthier, and more productive isn't enough, check out my eBook, Gratitude at Work: It's more than good manners; it's good business! It's chock full of cutting-edge research, case studies, and practical strategies that will enable you to put gratitude to work in your organization. Whether you're the CEO, the receptionist, or the custodian, we all have the power to make gratitude a powerful force with an incredible ripple effect to those around you!
