COVID-19: Encourage Gratitude in the Workplace

Gratitude is particularly important during times of change, precisely because change cannot be done alone. It can be defined as a positive emotion felt after receiving something valuable. And science has shown that people who are grateful feel happier. They have an improved sense of well-being, higher self-esteem, and experience less depression and anxiety. They also sleep better. And one study even found that differences in levels of gratitude is responsible for about 20% of individual differences in overall life satisfaction. And 80% of employees say they would be willing to work harder for an appreciative boss.

Despite its compelling benefits, expressing gratitude doesn’t always happen at work. One study found that while about half of people regularly say thank you to their family members, only about 15% of people regularly say thank you at work. The same study found that 35% of people say that their managers have never thanked them. This muted expression of gratitude in the workplace compared to other contexts can be thought of as the “gratitude gap.”

How to Be More Grateful

- Send a note expressing your gratitude.

- Keep a gratitude journal – or even just a list.

- Take time for reflection about the many aspects of your job for which you’re grateful.

- Offer thank-you cards.

- Create a designated space for colleagues to share shout-outs and words of thanks.

- Start meetings with gratitude.

- When things go wrong, count your blessings.

To read the entire CCL article, please click here.