Gratitude. It seems like a personal thing. We know that when we feel grateful, we feel better. But the research says that gratitude is more than a good feeling. That gratitude has measurable benefits for just about every area of our lives. But it isn’t just a personal experience. When we are grateful, we are aware of the good around us. And that those good things aren’t of our own efforts. Gratitude, in other words, helps us realize we wouldn’t be where we are without the help of others.

Imagine that you had a culture where people were aware of what is good around them and recognized that they wouldn’t achieve as much alone – that that wouldn’t be where they are without the help of others. Would that be a more effective, stronger, more resilient workplace? Would you have less turnover, greater innovation, and better results?

I count six yeses there.

How to Create (or Nurture) a Gratitude Culture

Model Gratitude

Whether as a leader or a member of the team, make sure you show your gratitude to others. How? By doing one of the first things your parents taught you – to say “Thank you.” Say “Thank you” regularly. Send emails and notes. Don’t do it to show off or prove something. Do it because you truly value how others have helped you or the team.

Create Space for Gratitude in Meetings

When was the last time you shared gratitude for a project, accomplishment, or failure in a meeting? If your meetings become a place where gratitude is shared, you are creating more of a gratitude culture. Consider having a standing or recurring part of your meeting to express gratitude. Give people the chance to share what they appreciate from each other on the team.

Expect Gratitude

Culture is “the way we do things around here.” So, if you want your culture to include gratitude, sharing authentic gratitude should be an expectation of the job. Help people see how everyone benefits from this outward expression of appreciation. As the leader, you should encourage and support authentic gratitude.

Make Gratitude a Part of One-on-Ones

While not the only kind of feedback, gratitude can be a part of any feedback given. Showing gratitude as a part of your regular one-on-ones is a powerful reinforcement of the gratitude culture. And this goes both ways. You can model this as a team member by showing gratitude to your boss and to other team members. It all moves the gratitude needle in a positive way.

Provide Instruction and Practice Building the Habit of Gratitude

We all know how to be grateful. But there are skills that can help people do it more regularly and build a habit of gratitude. Teaching these habit building skills can help individuals in their growth, cultivating a hardy gratitude culture across your team.

The good news about this list is that you can start today. Model gratitude by saying “Thank you” and expressing your true appreciation at every opportunity. You will start changing hearts and attitudes almost immediately.

What are you waiting for?

Kevin Eikenberry is a recognized world expert on leadership development and learning and is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. He has spent over 30 years helping organizations across North America, and leaders from around the world, on leadership, learning, teams and teamwork, communication and more.

Twice he has been named by Inc.com as one of the Top 100 Leadership and Management Experts in the World and 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference. The American Management Association named him a “Leaders to Watch” and he has been twice named as one of the World's Top 30 Leadership Professionals by Global Gurus. Top Sales World has named him a Top Sales & Marketing Influencer several times, and his blog has been named on many “best of” lists. LeadersHum has named him one of the 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2023.

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