Gratitude: A manager’s secret weapon

When was the last time you felt genuinely acknowledged? Had someone make you feel special for something you’d done? Chances are it was quite a while ago.

And it’s probably fair to say you enjoyed being recognised. It’s human nature.

But here’s the interesting thing - the person who made you feel special felt special too. Gratitude is a win/win situation.

In fact, according to a Harvard Medical School article[i], ‘Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity and build strong relationships’. In short, gratitude can make us feel happier and more content.

Gratitude in the workplace

Despite the benefits, there’s one place gratitude can be lacking – in the workplace. And it’s up to all of us to lead by example. Maybe we’re too shy to say something nice or we take people for granted. Either way, we’re missing out on lots of feel-good opportunities and that’s not good for business.

If someone does a great job, let them know. Openly acknowledge loyalty and thank those people who make your workplace a fun place to be. Opportunities to show gratitude in the workplace are all around us, we just have to act on them.

What are you grateful for?

Focusing on gratitude is just as important in your personal life. By acknowledging the things you’re grateful for, you can turn negative thinking on its head. The good news is, you can start tonight! Try this: just before you go to bed, write down five things you’re grateful for. They can be anything, big or small, it really doesn’t matter.

Was it a lovely sunny day? Do you have a great family? Did you hear a funny joke? Maybe you’re just grateful you made it to the service station in peak hour traffic before you ran out of petrol. Whatever you’re grateful for matters.

By acknowledging these things and writing them down before bed, you’ll drift off to sleep focused on the positives rather than the problems of the day. All of which makes for a better sleep and a better tomorrow.

And that’s something to be grateful for.

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Read more:

• Why asking about a colleague’s mental health is never embarrassing
• 'How can I help you?' and other tips for managing employees with poor mental health
• How to tell your mind the workday is over

[1] Giving thanks can make you happier - Harvard Health

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