Beyond Thanks
Unpacking the True Meaning and Impact of Gratitude in Teams
5-minute read
Image: unsplash Morvanic Lee
Backed by insights from psychologists and neuroscientists, we delve into the significance of workplace gratitude, exploring its multidimensional impact on individual and team well-being. Today´s Newsletter highlights how practicing gratitude not only elevates happiness, and enhances resilience, but also emphasizes that gratitude is not merely an exercise in appreciation; it is a catalyst for building trust, fostering a sense of belonging, and contributing to the foundation of high-performing teams.
As we approach the end of the year, we would like to invite you to take some time to reflect on one of the most important traits within an individual and a team: gratitude.
Many of us think that being grateful means being thankful for something or someone. And while this is true, gratitude is much more than that. Today we want to explore what gratitude at the workplace means, its importance, and why successful and resilient teams rely on it to thrive.
What does Science say about Gratitude?
Psychologists and neuroscientists have found out that practicing gratitude fosters our well-being, improves our self-image, and contributes to our psychological health. Gratitude is not an exercise about ourselves, where we compare ourselves to others and find where we are better at, but rather it is a shift in our attention to our experiences. As the renowned neuroscientists Dr. Fabritius and Dr. Hagemann say, gratitude “places an emphasis on people or things in your world that have made your life better, more fortunate, or more meaningful”1.
Moreover, gratitude contributes to elevating our baseline for happiness and enhancing our resilience, thus putting us in a more optimistic start position, where we believe in our ability to successfully navigate the challenges life presents us with.
In the context of a team or organization, fostering a culture of gratitude contributes to a positive and nurturing workplace atmosphere. Acknowledging and valuing the efforts of team members has the potential to enhance morale, foster increased collaboration, and trigger engagement. Gratitude implies a deep sense of acknowledgment and genuine appreciation for the efforts, contributions, and kindness of others. Developing an environment where people recognize what the other team members are doing for them, contributes to creating a sense of trust, belonging, and mutuality, which are important pillars of high-performing teams.
“Gratitude is an antidote to negative emotions, a neutralizer of envy, hostility, worry, and irritation. It is savoring; it is not taking things for granted; it is present-oriented.” – Sonja Lyubomirsky
Leaders who express gratitude set an inspiring example. It creates a leadership style that emphasizes positive reinforcement and encourages others to adopt a similar approach in acknowledging the efforts of their peers.
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy
Here are some cues if you want to start a conversation with your team about gratitude:
Encourage your team to take a moment to express gratitude for each team member. Reflect on specific contributions, efforts, and positive qualities they brought to the team. Peer-to-peer recognition strengthens the team since individuals are more likely to collaborate effectively when they know their efforts are acknowledged and valued.
List and celebrate the team's achievements throughout the year. Reflect on both big milestones and smaller victories. This can help team members recognize their collective success.
Prompt reflection on the lessons learned and personal growth experienced throughout the year. Ask team members to identify specific moments or insights they are grateful for.
Encourage setting positive intentions for team development in the upcoming year, fostering a mindset of continuous improvement.
The Challenge for the next 14 days
This month´s challenge might sound a little bit far-fetched but believe us, it will make an impact. Are you ready?
How often have you ever received a personal note from your boss expressing appreciation for your contributions? Our assumption is, most likely, not very often! This is what makes this month's challenge uniquely distinctive.
Craft individualized thank-you notes or messages for every team member, emphasizing their distinctive strengths, contributions, and efforts, as well as the positive impact they have had on you throughout the year. Whether it's someone clearing plates from your table, volunteering for a long-pending task, or bringing you lunch during a tight deadline, take a moment to acknowledge and express gratitude for these meaningful actions.
Notice what happens: Sending a simple gratitude note is likely to strengthen your relationship with that person. We would love to hear about your experience.
We are grateful for having you as one of our readers and for the opportunity to engage your mind with our ideas. We wish you and your team a very successful 2024!
In our next issue of “Thinking and Working Differently”, we will keep building on our previous topic Decision Making. If you enjoyed reading this article and found the content useful for you, please give us a like and forward it to someone else who might profit from reading it.