Gratitude - The Leaders Imperative

For many of you it has been a tough year.

The ebbs and flows of business success, challenges, joys and even failure.

But in this Christmas season it is very easy to just stop and not consider the future.

However one thing I would encourage you to do as a business leader is to ask yourself 'Am I Grateful?'.

The definition of being Grateful:

the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness

So, as this is the season of Goodwill to ALL men, it is important that we not only take stock of the year but take the time before Christmas to reflect and to say thank you to all those that you are grateful too.

Why?

I am glad you asked the question. So in my normal inimitable style here a number of reasons how gratitude IS the leaders imperative.

1. Fosters Stronger Relationships

Gratitude strengthens trust and rapport between you, your lieutenants and their teams. When you express genuine appreciation for employees’ efforts, it fosters loyalty and creates a sense of belonging. I would then expect it to lead to improved collaboration and morale.

2. Boosts Employee Engagement

Recognising and appreciating employees’ contributions leads to higher engagement. Engaged employees are more productive, innovative, and committed to organisational goals, directly impacting the bottom line. And clearly, as leaders, that is what we want to see, boosts in productivity leading to greater profits.

3. Enhances Workplace Culture

Just think about it. A culture of gratitude can create a positive and supportive work environment. When colleagues respect one another, saying thank you and looking out for one another, it creates a working environment that reduces turnover, improves teamwork, and encourages a culture of mutual respect and recognition.

4. Improves Mental Health (You and Others!!!)

Practicing gratitude, especially in challenging times, can help you to manage stress and maintain a positive mindset. You see, the mental process of gratitude will force you to look positively on a situation rather than negatively. Therefore being in the right frame of mind WILL improve decision-making and resilience, which are critical for effective leadership.

5. Encourages Continuous Improvement

When employees feel appreciated, they are more likely to go above and beyond in their roles. Gratitude reinforces the behaviours that leaders want to see repeated, leading to a cycle of continuous improvement.

6. Strengthens Customer Relationships

Gratitude extends to customers as well. A leader who fosters a culture of appreciation for clients’ loyalty can improve customer retention and strengthen brand advocacy.

If there is anything that you should take away from this short review, it is this. I cannot stress the power of this simple act.

So this Christmas, contact your top ten customers, send them gifts or a simple call of thanks for their custom. I guarantee that you will surprised at their reaction too.

7. Attracts Top Talent

Organisations with a reputation for valuing and appreciating their people attract high-quality candidates. Gratitude contributes to employer branding and differentiates the business in competitive job markets. Review sites like Glass Door, always highlights companies whose cultures are not desirable. So be warned. Leadership and gratitude come from the top. If you are not grateful and thankful then your managers will likely not be too.

8. Builds Emotional Intelligence

Expressing gratitude requires self-awareness and empathy, both of which are key components of emotional intelligence. I cannot stress this next point enough. Leaders with high emotional intelligence are better at managing relationships and motivating their teams.

10. Amplifies Organisational Resilience in teams and meetings

During crises or setbacks, gratitude will help you and your lieutenants to focus on what is working and what resources you have. This perspective can inspire teams to persevere and find solutions together.

Incorporating gratitude into daily leadership practices, such as regular recognition programs, personalised thank-you notes, or simply acknowledging contributions in meetings, can lead to transformative results for individuals and the organisation. Try it and let me know how you get on?

This is my last blog for the Christmas Season and looking forward to continue our discussions in 2025. Reach out on the link here if you want to find out more, or to talk about preparing you and your teams for 2025.

From the team at [W]sq solutions. Our prayer is that you and your families receive the peace and comfort from the reason for the season. Jesus Christ.