Entrepreneurs: The Value of Gratitude
by Miki SaxonThe only people who aren’t aware of the importance of culture in today’s working world must have been living off planet for the last few decades.
“…a toxic culture can trigger actions that ultimately lead to business failure. When money is viewed as the singular motivator, leaders will not be able to engage the hearts and minds and to get the best out of their people.”
Further, they are aware of what research shows people feel is most important.
For most people what really counts (apart from fair compensation) is respect, recognition, a sense of accomplishment, a sense of belonging, and a feeling of purpose.
Manfred Kets De Vries, the Distinguished Clinical Professor of Leadership Development & Organizational Change at INSEAD has an simple, one-word solution.
The first and most basic thing is to respect people who work in the organisation. As gratitude evokes cooperative responses, so too it creates mutually supportive relationships, helps neutralise conflict, generates positive energy and fosters a collective “we’re in this together” mentality. It gives people due recognition, fair treatment, a sense of belonging, and a voice.
If gratitude, as displayed in authentic thanks from bosses at whatever levels works, why are there still so many toxic cultures around?
The answer to that is also found in one simple word.
Ego.
Your take-away is also simple.
If you have trouble walking gratitude, as opposed to just talking it, the it’s time to have a real heart-to-heart with the person in your mirror.
Flickr image credit: Wagner Machado Carlos Lemes