As we reflect on the week of thanksgiving, I’m reminded that thankfulness should be an all year thing, and especially in the workplace. Thankfulness in the workplace builds relationships, fosters connections, and promotes growth. If you prioritize sincere and consistent expressions of gratitude to your co-workers and clients, you will create a ripple effect of appreciation that flows into all your relationships. Below are five practical ways to spread thankfulness and gratitude within professional connections.
1. Celebrate People
Celebrating people takes the focus off yourself and shines the spotlight on others. As you go about your workday, look for ways to celebrate the people around you. This could be as simple as acknowledging their crucial role in completing a project or offering a monetary bonus. Celebrating people is a great way to foster unity between co-workers, clients, potential candidates and others within your professional network.
2. Encourage Leaders
Acknowledging a leader’s efforts to inspire their team, develop relationships, and foster teamwork is an essential component in setting an example of an environment of appreciation. You can express gratitude by buying lunch or leaving a note on their desk. Consistent expressions of gratitude show that you are a genuine and loyal employee or leader and are committed to team success. Appreciation should flow up and down within the organization.
3. Recognize Achievements
Recognizing the achievements and contributions of people in your company encourages teamwork. If an employee received an award or achieved a challenging goal this quarter, express your thankfulness for their hard work and recognize their accomplishment through a company-wide email or meeting. Recognizing a person’s achievements and expressing your thanks for their contribution is a great way to build relationships in the office.
4. Spread Positivity
You can challenge yourself to spread positivity by expressing your appreciation to one new person each week. If you want to infect the whole office with positivity, consider a hand written note or treating the office to donuts and coffee. You can also start celebrating specific people in company meetings to let them know their efforts are seen and appreciated. These examples are simple but effective ways to foster a culture of thankfulness in a professional environment.
5. Stop & Reflect
As you express thankfulness and gratitude to your clients, co-workers, and potential candidates, stop and reflect on the blessings in your life. You can write down the things you are thankful for and display them on a notecard in your car, mirror, or office. Stopping long enough to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and appreciate the people around you will help you develop a heart of thankfulness.
All of us here at Cornerstone Executive Search are thankful for you and your support over this past year and we hope you had a very blessed thanksgiving.
