By Michelle Van Slyke
Gratitude can be overlooked as something personal rather than professional. Throughout my career, I have learned that the way leaders make people feel directly impacts their performance. It goes with the well-known saying that people will never forget how you made them feel. That’s why today, on World Gratitude Day, I’m sharing four benefits to embracing a leadership style of gratitude, the impact it can have on any business, and how you can apply them to your practices today and beyond.
1. Appreciation and Performance Have a Direct Correlation
Leaders should take time to acknowledge both the work and the accomplishments of their teams—now more than ever. The past 18 months have pushed some employees to work more than ever before all while balancing trying circumstances and situations. We’ve all had moments of saying hello to families over Zoom or trying to hush a barking dog during important meetings. Leaders: Make time to share thanks and appreciation for your employees as they continue to deliver for your business.
Employees who feel appreciated for their contributions are more likely to maintain their strong work ethic. Praise can boost employee morale and motivation, leading high performers to continue to achieve. Think back to the last time a leader, manager, or colleague praised your work. At that moment, did you feel that your hard work and time spent was worth it? Many people do.
Although sharing appreciation might seem like a small gesture, it can make all the difference to employees after successfully completing a project or navigating the messy middle. That is why I make a conscious effort to thank my team and let them know how much I value their hard work and the results they helped drive. I have seen increased positivity and higher performance because of this practice.
