Practice Being Grateful. Watch Episode 11

We all lead complicated lives. Whether we’re taking care of both parents and children, going through a divorce, or having problems with our health, most of us still try hard to do the best job we possibly can at work.

In a complex, modern world, it’s not so much about suffering in silence as it is about knowing that our co-workers are working through personal lives filled with an equally daunting set of hurdles. No one wants to create more stress by complaining.

 Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all feel a little more appreciated at work? We sure think so over at Habitly.

Behind Episode 11

Episode 11: Grateful for you is now available for Habitly subscribers. It’s inspired by the following story:

 Tanya worked as a janitor in a company for many years. Janitorial work can certainly be thankless; cleaning up after other people can certainly make a person feel undervalued and worse, completely invisible. After all, most people take it for granted that their trash cans get emptied or the bathrooms they use are sparkling clean. 

 After many years, the company where Tanya worked changed owners and the new owner decided to write everyone a thank you note. Tanya never expected to receive one. That sort of acknowledgement was for other employees—the ones everyone thought mattered.

 So, when the new owner’s assistant handed a thank you note to Tanya, she burst into tears.

 Never once in 30 years had she been thanked by the previous owners, much less acknowledged with a personal note. The simple, yet incredibly thoughtful gesture overwhelmed her with gratitude. Tanya felt valued.

The Key Takeaway

A recent Harvard Business Review article, “The Little Things that Make Employees Feel Appreciated,” cites an interesting experiment in which researchers found that simple gestures of gratitude enable individuals to feel socially valued. According to the article, the study concluded that “when people experience gratitude from their manager, they’re more productive.”

On the other hand, when people don’t feel appreciated, they often don’t end up staying. And why would they? In a world where headhunters are forever on the lookout for talent, why not go someplace where management truly appreciates the work you put in?Subscribe today to watch Episode 11: Grateful for You.