Award-winning speaker, corporate trainer, business coach, & founder Tanya Chernova Global Corp transforming people & orgs for success.
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Gratitude is the quality of being thankful and showing appreciation, and it is an essential component of a healthy workplace culture. Practicing gratitude not only benefits the receiver but also revitalizes and enlivens the giver. This article explores the importance of giving meaningful praise at work and the impact it has on individuals and teams.
Gratitude has been scientifically proven to help people experience more positive emotions and reduce stress. When individuals don't feel appreciated, they become depleted and apathetic, which ultimately impacts their productivity, job satisfaction and loyalty.
The feeling of being valued is what makes praise so important. It's not just about saying "good job," but rather giving specific feedback and sharing the why behind what is being said. Praising someone for their hard work and acknowledging the impact it has had fortifies their self-esteem and makes them feel seen, heard, valued and appreciated. The nature of gratitude is energizing; therefore, it encourages growth and fosters people’s desire to give more.
Gratitude also helps develop kindness in our hearts, leading to a kinder workplace. It allows individuals to manufacture positive emotions even in the midst of difficult times, which helps keep them buoyant and afloat amid the storm. Additionally, practicing gratitude has been shown to improve decision-making, managerial skills and the ability to motivate and mentor people.
Unfortunately, one poll shows that fewer than one-third of North American workers can "strongly agree" that they receive praise from their boss in a week, and 65% of North Americans polled haven't received praise from their boss in the last year. This is a worrying trend that needs to be addressed. Giving praise needs to be a regular part of the workplace culture and not just a once-a-year occurrence.
When giving meaningful praise, it's important to be specific and heartfelt and to give feedback quickly. Individuals want to feel the ripple effect of their impact and how they contribute to the bigger picture. A simple and effective formula for giving meaningful praise is to acknowledge them, be specific, state the impact and share appreciation.
For example, Mark, your dedication to meeting this project deadline was outstanding. Your commitment to your work and the team made all the difference to get us across the finish line and deliver on our promises. You are a truly valuable part of this organization, and we thank you.
Or, Lucy, thank you for raising your hand to lead this committee. Your innovative ideas inspired the team to go above and beyond and to create a program that redefines us as a market leader. We really appreciate your leadership.
Giving meaningful praise is not only good for individuals but also for teams. It builds momentum and throws the team into forward motion. It's also essential to have a 360 culture where praise is given between teammates, laterally and vertically.
The fact is gratitude is a powerful emotion that nourishes and reconnects us. It's an essential component of a healthy workplace culture and needs to be practiced regularly. Giving meaningful praise is an excellent way of showing appreciation and acknowledging the impact individuals have on the organization's success. It builds self-esteem, improves decision-making, and enhances managerial skills, leading to a more connected, motivated and productive workforce. Apply it to your organization today.
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