81% Will Work Harder if Bosses Include this Simple Ingredient – and it’s Free
I invited my college buddies over after I got married for homemade donuts. They were nearly inedible. I left something out of the batter.
It was a fiasco. Worst of all, I didn’t taste the donuts until they had choked down theirs.
Survey results:
Gratitude for hard work motivates more hard work.
81% said they would work harder for a grateful boss.
94% of women and 96% of men agree that a grateful boss is more likely to be successful.
60% say they either never express gratitude at work or do so perhaps once a year.
74% never or rarely express gratitude to their boss.
Gratitude in 3 dimensions:
#1. Gratitude-for.
Reflect on benefits and advantages you enjoy. Consider that you are the recipient of kindness. Remember that others are helping you. All meaningful achievements involve the help of others.
#2. Gratitude-to.
Gratitude doesn’t become gratefulness until it is expressed. Feeling grateful is good. Expressing gratitude is essential.
#3. Gratitude-in.
Practice gratitude in hardship.
Ungratefulness disadvantages the ungrateful.
Gratitude is noticing and acknowledging benefit or advantage.
What benefits or advantages might result from hardship?
4 ways to practice gratitude today:
#1. Go deep.
“Gratitude in depth is more important than ‘gratitude by the numbers’. Elaborating on a particular benefit in detail is more beneficial than listing a number of benefits more superficially.” Robert Emmons
Don’t fear that gratitude causes complacency. It’s just the opposite. (5 Myths about Gratitude)
#2. Describe behaviors.
It’s good to express how someone’s actions benefited you. It’s better to describe their actions back to them.
Gratitude is positive noticing.
#3. Write a thank you note.
#4. Go on a gratitude walk-about.
If you can’t today, schedule a gratitude walk-about, or a couple brief gratitude video calls. Yes, put gratitude on your calendar.
#5. Separate gratitude from challenge.
Let gratitude stand on it’s own. You can challenge people to reach higher tomorrow.
Today’s challenge: Express gratitude to one person. Be brief, specific, and sincere.
“The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.” William James
Thanks Duane. Love the quote.
Gratitude … I struggle with this one sometimes. It is a more extroverted skillset that I think some introverts struggle doing naturally.
Thanks Michael. So glad you joined in today. I agree and would add that reluctance or discomfort expressing gratitude isn’t limited to introverts.
I agree, Dan. I am most definitely NOT introverted and I am very grateful for the work people do. But I don’t take the time often enough to express my gratitude. I say “thank you”, but I don’t tend to “go deep” as you said. I guess I am avoiding “touchy-feely” conversations and I shouldn’t.
Respect to you for transparency. I truly appreciate it.
Hi, Mark – Could you help connect the dots between the opening story and the rest of the article? I feel like I am missing a key point.
Hi Douglas… the opening story is about a key missing ingredient. Gratitude is a key ingredient.
Beyond that, I can’t help you. I was surprised when that story came to mind.
Surefire homemade donuts: Pillsbury buttermilk biscuits. Remove center with a prescription bottle. Fry in hot oil. Dip and flip in sugar/cinnamon mix while hot. Eat while warm.
You’re welcome. :0)
And thanks for the reminder on gratitude and appreciation.
LOL… thanks John. I haven’t made donuts since my college days. But, it’s good to have a simple recipe, just in case. 🙂
Showing regular gratitude makes it easier to give. Practice receiving it too. I found it interesting but not surprising that the survey revealed 74% didn’t express gratitude to their boss. They are people too and in a sometimes tough and often lonelier position. Modeling what we would like to have helps too. This is an excellent post with specifics on how to fine tune the gratitude to make it appropriate and meaningful.
Thanks Vicki. Your insights being a new avenue of thought to mind. The connection between gratitude and generosity seems important.
Regarding gratitude to the boss. I think gratitude makes others better. It seems likely to elevate a boss’s game too.
If you want a better boss, try expressing gratitude to the boss.
My husband recently sent his new boss an email telling him that he appreciated him and his leadership. My husband is 55. His new boss is 30. Hi boss was blown away and told him that NO ONE had ever said anything like that to him before.
What a great story. Thank you for sharing it, Trudy.
Dan, What a great reminder!! Where did you get the stats? Would love to read the study. Hope you are well. J
Thanks John. This should help: http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/images/uploads/JTF_GRATITUDE_REPORTpub.doc
Thanks Dan. I really appreciate the insights you continue to share!!
What a great reminder especially around Thanksgiving. I think we all tend to forget the third dimension. Although I think the challenges of this year have brought back the “grateful in hardships”.