Why Gratitude Should be Everyone’s Top Priority

With the month of thanks upon us, we’re all probably booking some flights and learning new food recipes to impress our family. However, what about our work family? An average full-time employee in the U.S. works 8.5 hours every workday. Considering a sleep schedule of 8 hours, that means we spend half of our waking hours with our coworkers. Because of all that time spent together, it’s natural to feel connected to the people you work with. So, this November, let’s take out time to show gratitude to those who work with us every single day.

Giving thanks makes employees feel more valued, and they perform more efficiently

The workplace can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. This often holds true for workers who feel like parts of an assembly line without having any real importance to their company. However, a simple token of gratitude could work wonders for their motivation.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania conducted a study with workers of an alumni donation call center, perhaps one of the most mundane and repetitive tasks ever. One group was given a pep talk by their director expressing gratitude for their tireless efforts, and one was not. The group that was thanked went on to make 50% more fund-raising calls than its counterpart that did not receive special thanks.

Workplace gratitude encourages empathy and discourages aggression

According to a 2012 study at the University of Kentucky, individuals who expressed gratitude regularly were less likely to retaliate in cases of workplace negativity. They were also more likely to show empathy towards their coworkers.

It doesn’t take much to make someone’s day

Expressing gratitude doesn’t have to be a strenuous chore; it can be something as simple as a handwritten thank-you note.

Terryberry’s 10-minute recognition action program for leaders allows busy managers to effectively make time and showcase gratitude for their employees to enhance employee retention.