“Gratefulness for what is there is one of the most powerful tools for creating what is not yet there. What does gratefulness mean? It means you appreciate what is. You value, you give attention to, you honor whatever is here at this moment.”
–Eckhart Tolle
What does gratitude have to do with leadership? Think about it. Have you ever worked for a boss that wasn’t grateful for your contributions you made to your company? How did that make you feel?
Studies have shown that companies that “excel at employee recognition” are 12 times more likely to enjoy strong business results. Leaders who are grateful for and acknowledge employee contributions create a culture of gratefulness that trickles down through the whole organization.
Inc.’s Geoffrey James wrote “If you’re not exercising this emotional muscle, you’re probably setting yourself up for failure. I’m utterly convinced that the key to lifelong success is the regular exercise of a single emotional muscle: gratitude.” Research from the Harvard Business Review draws the same conclusions: appreciation matters.
While googling articles on gratitude, here are a few of the many benefits that I found about having an attitude of gratitude:
- Improves physiological and emotional health
- Opens the door to more relationships AND creates trust in relationships
- Improves self-esteem and increases mental strength
- Reduces pessimism and aggression
Try being grumpy and grateful at the same time. Personally, I have found that being grateful, even during hard times, makes those hard times “seem” easier to travel through.
This suggestion came from an article in Forbes. “A five-minute a day gratitude journal can increase your long-term well-being by more than 10 percent. That’s the same impact as doubling your income!” WOW!
I’ve been reflecting back through this time of quarantine and I have found many things for which to be grateful.
I’ve had the time to take a deeper look at me and have found characteristics that definitely need to be improved. I needed to change the way I do business and how I prioritize too. I’m not sure that I would have developed the awareness of these needs were it not for the quarantine. I’ve taken more risks at doing new things, especially with technology. I’ve spent more time out doors relishing in the beauty of spring. I’m grateful for my faith, family and my home. I love what I do and am thankful that I can still have that impact with Zoom.
Being grateful not only benefits me, but it has a positive influence on those around me. AND leadership is influence.
How about you? I hope you take some time today to list those things that you are grateful for.
Gratefully typed,
Jan
Jan McDonald
The John Maxwell Team
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