Grateful to be at Work?

Tis the season for gratefulness. It seems sad that we need a holiday, and one full of gluttony at that, to remind us to count the blessings of our life, but here we are.

As leaders, we want to let our colleagues know that we are grateful to them. Most of us resort to the common and obvious: a small token, extra doughnuts in the break room, a holiday party, or even a thank you card. There is nothing wrong with any of these approaches; indeed they probably create a moment or two of pleasure. However, they will not create a long-lasting or a deep appreciation for working with you. 

True work satisfaction and a gratefulness for their workplace depends not on an occasional trinket or gesture but rather how people are treated day after day.  

Research is pretty clear about what makes people grateful for their work:

•  A reasonable amount of autonomy

• A continued development of skills and increased authority

• Work that contributes to an important mission

As you return to work after devouring your turkey, think about whether you have crafted a workplace where the three above criteria are met. If not, the real work is in restructuring how you operate to make it so.

And an occasional, specific thank you for a job well done never hurts. 

Enjoy your Thanksgiving.