When gratitude is incorporated into the cultural fiber of a workplace and embodied by all the team members, it amplifies empathy, collaboration, and communication. Bolstering relationships in your organization through gratitude is fundamental.
The big question is: How do you practice gratitude in a corporate setting? And what does gratitude look like in the workplace?
“In a study of 800 descriptive trait words, ‘grateful’ was rated in the top 4% in terms of likeability.” — PositivePsychology.com
In the workplace, gratitude can take many different forms.
For example, a boss might express gratitude to an employee who goes above and beyond their job duties, or a colleague might say thank you for offering help on a project. Sometimes, people show gratitude in more significant ways, such as nominating someone for an award or taking the time to write a positive review. Regardless of how it is expressed, gratitude plays an important role in the workplace.
It helps to build strong relationships, foster a sense of teamwork, and motivate people to do their best. When employees feel appreciated, they are more likely to be engaged and productive. As such, bosses and managers should make an effort to show gratitude regularly.
In this article, we’ll break down the benefits of expressing gratitude in the workplace, how to make it the new standard in your organization, and all the ways you and your team can show gratitude to one another.
Benefits of Showing Gratitude at Work
➤ Improves productivity
Gratitude is a powerful way to build relationships and boost morale. But did you know that gratitude can also have a positive impact on productivity? When employees feel appreciated, they are more likely to be engaged with their work and motivated to do their best. Additionally, gratitude can help to build a sense of belonging and camaraderie within a team. As a result, showing appreciation for others’ hard work is not only good for morale, but can also lead to greater productivity in the workplace.
➤ Boosts employee satisfaction
Taking the time to recognize employees’ hard work can make a big difference in their overall satisfaction with their job. Additionally, expressing gratitude can also help to build team morale and improve working relationships. When employees feel appreciated, they are more likely to be engaged and productive, which benefits the entire organization. So next time you’re feeling grateful for your job, be sure to let your boss know! A little appreciation can go a long way in boosting employee satisfaction.
➤ Reduces absenteeism
Did you know that expressing gratitude at work can also help reduce absenteeism? That’s right – studies have shown that employees who feel appreciated are more likely to show up for work and be productive while they’re there. There are several reasons for this; first, feeling appreciated makes people feel good, and when they feel good they’re more likely to want to come to work. Additionally, people who feel appreciated are more likely to feel like their work is meaningful, which makes them less likely to want to take time off.
➤ Increases employee well-being
Numerous studies have shown that expressing gratitude can have a positive impact on employee wellbeing. From improving mental and physical health to increasing overall satisfaction with life, the benefits of gratitude are well-documented. But did you know that gratitude can also be good for business? A recent study found that employees who felt appreciated by their superiors were more likely to feel satisfied with their jobs and to report higher levels of well-being. The study also found that, as a side effect, these employees were more likely to say they would recommend their company as a good place to work.
➤ Boosts employee retention
One way to promote employee retention is to show gratitude for a job well done. A simple “thank you” can go a long way towards making an employee feel valued and appreciated. Moreover, publicly acknowledging an employee’s contribution can help to increase their motivation and commitment to the company. In addition, showing gratitude at work can also help to create a more positive work environment. When employees feel appreciated, they are more likely to stick around and continue to do great work.
15 Ways To Show Gratitude To Your Coworkers
1 Set aside time to recognize your peers
As any seasoned professional knows, acknowledgment, expressions of gratitude, and appreciation from your peers can be just as important as a pat on the back from your boss. A recent study found that employees who feel appreciated by their colleagues are more likely to feel satisfied with their jobs and less likely to experience burnout. Furthermore, employees who feel valued by their peers are more likely to go above and beyond in their work, leading to higher quality results.
Tip to express your gratitude: One simple way to show appreciation for your coworkers or employees is to set aside time each week to recognize their accomplishments. This can be done informally, through a quick conversation or email, or formally, through a team meeting or award ceremony. Alternatively, dedicate a weekly, biweekly, or monthly meeting to thanking team members. You can also use a recognition platform like Mo Work which can make it easy for all employees (in-person, hybrid, and remote) to reward each other with shout outs and nominations.
2 Give your team the right tools to facilitate appreciation between coworkers
It’s no secret that happier employees are more productive employees. When coworkers are appreciated and feel valued, they are more likely to go the extra mile to help out and contribute to the company’s success. One way to foster a culture of appreciation is to provide your team with the right tools. For example, setting up a recognition program where employees can give shout-outs to their colleagues for a job well done is a great way to show that you value their efforts. By making it easy for employees to show their appreciation for one another, you can create a workplace that is more positive and productive.
Tip to express your gratitude: Consider the specifications of your organization to find the perfect recognition tool to facilitate a culture of gratitude.
Pro-Tip: If you like using digital tools, we recommend exploring the following employee gratitude tools for your team:
- Motivosity – An easy-to-use peer recognition and rewards platform to keep teams connected.
- Nectar – Send and receive recognition straight from Slack or Teams. No need to login to yet another software.
- Bonusly – Create real meaning for every employee and every celebration with personalized employee rewards that wow.
P.S. Each of these tools offer a free trial which will allow you to test them out at your workplace. 🙂
3 Send employees a work-from-home care package
Working from home has become the new normal for many people, but it can be a big adjustment. Between trying to stay focused with distractions all around and dealing with the loneliness of being isolated from colleagues, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. One way to show your employees that you care about their well-being and mental health is to send them a work-from-home care package. Fill it with things like healthy snacks, tea or coffee, a comfortable pair of socks, and (if possible) a gift card for a local delivery service. A little gesture like this can go a long way in making your employees feel appreciated and supported. Plus, it’s a great way to show your company’s culture of caring.
Tip to express your gratitude: Corporate care packages are ideal for work-from-home employees because you can use a company that specializes in custom curations like Caroo.
4 Create a Gratitude Wall in Slack
Another easy way to cultivate gratitude is to create a “gratitude wall” in your workplace Slack channel. Every day, invite on-site and remote employees to post one thing they’re grateful for. It can be something big or small, work-related or personal. As the posts accumulate, people will be able to scroll through and see all the good things that are happening in their workplace. Not only will this help to foster a culture of gratitude, but it will also help to boost team morale and strengthen relationships.
Tip to express your gratitude: Send out a company-wide memo to get widespread buy-in across all of your different departments and teams.
5 Present a weekly award
Many businesses struggle to find an effective way to show their appreciation and express gratitude. One popular solution is to present a weekly award. This doesn’t have to be a big, expensive prize; even a simple certificate or trophy can be enough to show that you’re paying attention and you appreciate what your employees are doing. Furthermore, presenting an award on a regular basis helps to create a sense of anticipation and excitement, something that can be hard to maintain in a busy work environment. Ultimately, the value of presenting a weekly award lies in its ability to show your employees that their efforts are noticed and appreciated.
Tip to express your gratitude: Pair your weekly award with an employee recognition gift. If you are looking to give gifts to many award winners at once, consider buying employee gifts in bulk.
6 Highlight the little things
Courtesy of Bonusly
In the hustle and bustle of the workweek, it’s easy to let the little things fall by the wayside. However, taking a moment to appreciate the small victories can make a big difference in your team’s outlook and performance. Whether it’s landing a new client, getting a project finished on time, or simply making it through another day, celebrating accomplishments helps to keep teams motivated and focused. And while it’s important to celebrate successes, take time to acknowledge the efforts of our colleagues. A kind word or gesture can go a long way towards building morale and fostering a collaborative environment.
Tip to express your gratitude: Sometimes, the things worth celebrating aren’t even quantifiable. For instance, you could even celebrate a team member who spreads consistent positivity in the workplace. Consider providing a spot bonus to surprise your employees and reward them spontaneously!
7 Sign up for an employee engagement platform
Employee engagement is key to a successful business. Studies have shown that happy employees are more productive and more likely to stay with a company. One way to cultivate happiness and gratitude in the workplace is to sign up for an employee engagement platform. This type of platform provides a forum for employees to share their positive experiences and express their appreciation for their co-workers. In addition, it allows managers to give recognition and praise for a job well done.
Tip to express your gratitude: If you need help evaluating the right platform for your team, try checking out a few of our favorites:
8 Utilize an office bulletin board
A bulletin board can be a powerful tool for cultivating gratitude in the workplace. By posting positive quotes, stories, and messages, you can help create an environment that is supportive and upbeat. Additionally, a bulletin board can be used to recognize employees who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. This not only lets your employees know that their hard work is appreciated, but also encourages them to continue to strive for excellence. Finally, a bulletin board can be used as a venue for sharing thanks and compliments.
Tip to express your gratitude: People can add little ‘thank yous’ to it with sticky notes or index cards.
9 Encourage employees to spread gratitude when they can
It’s no secret that grateful employees are more engaged and productive at work. But what you may not realize is that gratitude is contagious. When employees feel appreciated, they’re more likely to express appreciation to others, creating a culture of gratitude and peer-to-peer recognition that can have a positive ripple effect throughout your organization. Show your employees that you value their contributions by taking the time to express your appreciation regularly. And encourage them to do the same for their colleagues.
Tip to express your gratitude: Hire employees that demonstrate gratitude as a core quality and make sure that gratitude is emphasized in your company culture book.
10 Give out employee shout outs
One way to cultivate gratitude in the workplace is to give out employee shoutouts. This can be done informally, such as by sending an email to the entire company praising a specific individual for their hard work, or it can be done through a more formal system, such as an annual award ceremony.
Either way, publicly acknowledging the efforts of individual employees helps to create a culture of appreciation and gratitude. It also serves as a reminder that hard work does not go unnoticed. In addition to showing appreciation for individual employees, another way to cultivate gratitude in the workplace is to express appreciation for the team as a whole. This can be done through simple gestures, such as bringing in breakfast for everyone on Monday mornings, or by organizing group outings and events.
Tip to express your gratitude: When shouting out your remote employees, a team-wide email or a post on your recognition wall is a great way to make it public!
11 Send your entire team a digital gift card
A culture of gratitude has been linked to increased employee satisfaction and productivity, so it’s no surprise that more and more companies are looking for ways to cultivate this mindset in the workplace. One simple and effective way to do this is to send your employees digital gift cards. Whether it’s a thank-you for a job well done or a random act of kindness, these gift cards will show your employees that you appreciate them and their efforts. In addition, they’ll also help to encourage positive relationships between coworkers.
Tip to express your gratitude: Sending out digital gift cards to employees is a process that requires just a few clicks of the mouse. You can usually accompany these gift cards with a personalized message from you or the entire team to express your gratitude even more!
12 Celebrate an employee milestone with a CareCard
Courtesy of Caroo
Caroo offers CareCards, a unique way to show your employees how much you appreciate their hard work. CareCards are personalized e-cards that can be sent to any employee, on any occasion. They come with a thoughtful message and a range of fun and interactive features. With CareCards, you can say thank you, congratulations, or simply show your employees some well-deserved recognition. So next time you’re looking for a special way to celebrate an employee milestone, make sure you send a CareCard. It’s the perfect way to show your employees just how much they mean to you.
Tip to express your gratitude: We tried out the CardCard experience for one of our hardworking team members and found it to be a really simple and fun process.
13 Thank people outside of your department when they help you
In today’s workplace, it’s more important than ever to build strong relationships with colleagues. However, it’s also important to remember that those relationships should extend beyond your own department. When someone from another area of the company goes out of their way to help you, be sure to take the time to thank them.
A simple ‘thank you’ can go a long way towards building goodwill and showing your appreciation for their help. Moreover, it may even inspire them to continue lending a helping hand in the future. So next time someone outside of your department comes to your aid, be sure to express your gratitude. It’s a small gesture that can make a big difference in the way you’re perceived by others.
Tip to express your gratitude: Consider giving other departments gift baskets and care packages to show that you are grateful and always wish them well!
14 Celebrate the holidays with a Secret Santa or gift exchange
The holidays are a time for giving, and what better way to spread the holiday cheer than by participating in a Secret Santa or gift exchange? Not only is this a great way to get everyone in the holiday spirit, but it’s also a fun way to exchange gifts with friends and family. Plus, it’s a great way to save money on holiday gifts!
To participate in a Secret Santa or gift exchange at your next in-person or virtual holiday party, simply have each person draw a name out of a hat. Then, each person will buy a gift for the person they drew. Once all of the gifts have been bought, everyone will gather together and take turns exchanging gifts.
Tip to express your gratitude: Give your employees or coworkers something that they will likely need to use regularly — especially if it relates to their job. This will also help keep things professional.
15 Meet with your team members regularly
If you want to create a culture of gratitude at work, one of the best things you can do is meet with your team members on a regular basis and enjoy team building activities together. This gives everyone a chance to share what they’re thankful for and to express their appreciation for others. It’s also a great opportunity to brainstorm ways to show more gratitude in the workplace. For example, you might discuss ideas for recognizing employees who go above and beyond. By meeting regularly, you can help ensure that gratitude is always top of mind for your team.
Tip to express your gratitude: Be sure to accommodate on-site and remote employees through video conferencing platforms and other communication tools.
People Also Ask These Questions About Showing Gratitude in the Workplace
Q: Why is it important to show gratitude in the workplace?
Expressing gratitude in the workplace is important because it can help to build morale and foster a positive working environment. In addition, expressing gratitude can also help to build relationships and strengthen bonds between team members. When people feel appreciated, they are more likely to be motivated and engaged in their work. As a result, showing gratitude in the workplace can have a positive impact on both individual employees and the organization as a whole.
Q: What are some free or cost-effective ways to show gratitude to my team?
There are many free or cost-effective ways to show gratitude to your team. One way is to simply take the time to express your gratitude verbally. A sincere “thank you” can go a long way in making your team feel appreciated. You can also show your appreciation by being generous with praise and recognition in general. Take the time to point out when someone on your team has done a good job, and make sure that they know that you noticed. Finally, you can show your team that you appreciate their hard work by investing in their development. This can be as simple as providing access to online courses or attending industry conferences together.
Q: What are some useful quotes to encourage workplace gratitude?
There are many useful quotes to encourage workplace gratitude. For instance, there’s a saying that goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” The same can be said of businesses; it takes a team of dedicated and hardworking employees to create a successful company. However, in the hustle and bustle of everyday work, it’s easy to forget how important teamwork is. This is where quotes about workplace gratitude come in. A few words of encouragement can help to remind employees of the importance of working together and being grateful for one another. For example, “The greatest compliment anyone can give me is to say that I’ve helped them achieve their goals.” – Tony Robbins. Quotes like this one can help to boost morale and remind employees that they are appreciated.
Q: What does gratitude mean in the workplace?
In the workplace, gratitude can take many forms. It could be a simple thank you for a job well done, or it could be acknowledging someone’s help in getting a project completed. It could also be something as simple as showing appreciation for someone who goes out of their way to make work more enjoyable. Whatever form it takes, gratitude is always about feeling thankful for what someone has done. It’s simply about feeling thankful for what others do. It’s an important way to build strong relationships, motivate employees, and create a positive work environment.
Q: How do you create a culture of gratitude in the workplace?
One of the best ways to create a culture of gratitude in the workplace is to start with yourself. Make it a point to express your gratitude on a regular basis, whether it’s through handwritten thank-you notes, verbal recognition in meetings, or simply sending a quick email or text message. You can also encourage others to do the same by setting up a system of recognition, such as an employee of the month program. Another way to foster a culture of gratitude is to make it part of your company’s values and beliefs. If you articulate that appreciation is important to your organization, employees will be more likely to integrate it into their daily work lives. Finally, you can create opportunities for employees to give back, whether it’s through volunteering or participating in philanthropic activities.
