A simple “thank you” can truly go a long way. Whether it’s around the boardroom table, or privately outside the workplace, the act of showing gratitude can lift the spirits of anyone receiving some positive praise.
As a leader or manager, showing gratitude for your team is particularly important. As you close out an exciting week, quarter, or year with your team, you hopefully feel #blessed ???????? for the hard work they put in every day.
But how, and how often, are you thanking them for their effort?
5 Ways To Show Gratitude To Your Team
It’s important, now more than ever, to give thanks. Here are a few ways to show that much-needed, hug-inducing appreciation and recognition towards your team and colleagues.
1. Provide Sincere And Consistent Recognition
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – William Arthur Ward
Yes, showing gratitude is as simple as saying “thank you.” However, you should take the time to recognize this person for something specific they did such as delivering that client project under deadline, providing exceptional support to a team member, or even contributing an idea last Friday.
You can also show you care by taking the delivery of your thanks to one step further. Some people love public praise and others appreciate a private pat on the back.
2. Give A Thoughtful Gift
A common way to show appreciation for your employees or coworkers is to give a physical or monetary gift. So if you can’t find the words, then give a great gift for that person on your team who deserves that recognition. Wrap that thanks with a bow and show them how grateful you are for their efforts at work.
3. Get Your Team Involved
Showing gratitude doesn’t always have to come in the form of verbal recognition or a physical gift. Giving thanks to others directly affects their perception of appreciation and value so what better way to do this than by involving your team in important projects and tasks.
Employees feel valued when they can participate in decision-making and their skills are actually being used to the benefit of the company.
4. Listen With Intent
This is another simple but impactful way to practice gratitude and to show you value your team. Especially as a leader, you may assume you should be the one doing all the talking and driving. This assumption is far from the truth.
The best leaders are the ones who take the time to really listen to their employees and colleagues.
One of the main purposes of expressing gratitude is to show your appreciation for another. So there’s no better way to show appreciation than by listening intently to your team’s ideas, dreams, and feedback. The next time you are in a meeting or having a conversation with someone on your team, make an effort to listen with intent.
5. Create A Kudos Culture
“The way to develop the best that is in a person is by appreciation and encouragement.” -Charles Schwab
At the end of the day, your team wants to feel appreciated and valued. But this culture shouldn’t be fostered by one person or just a handful of people.
People in your company may be hesitant to express gratitude or applaud someone for a job well done so you can facilitate the opportunities to provide this recognition.
For example, your weekly team meeting can have a 10-minute thanks session in which the floor is open for anyone on the team to recognize a colleague for going the extra mile that week.
