Many studies over the past decade show a correlation between gratitude and happiness—the more people feel and practice gratitude, the more contentment and joy they experience. We know this is true in our personal lives—and it’s true in our professional lives as well. In his article, “A Grateful Culture is a Healthy Culture. Here’s How to Create it,” John Hall writes about gratitude in the workplace; specifically, how to create an appreciative company culture amongst team members. The first step, writes Hall, is to start with yourself: “Make time to reflect each day on the positive things that have happened to you, what you’ve already accomplished, and what you like about yourself.” While it’s nice to communicate your appreciation to others, it’s not essential that you do so repeatedly. Just by making time to consider what you’re your grateful for, you’ve stimulated your hypothalamus which regulates a lot and affects empathy, social cognition and emotional experiences. It’s difficult to encourage gratitude in your team if you’re not experiencing it yourself. And yes—they’ll know. Read Hall’s entire article for three other ways to create or increase a culture of gratitude.
