Does your organization encourage a culture of gratitude? Chances are the answer is no. According to a recent Gallup poll, 65 percent of respondents said they don’t feel appreciated at work. And that feeling quickly leads to pervasive negativity, low morale, and decreased productivity.

Learn the secrets for creating a business development strategy that turns prospects into new customers in a recession. Download your free copy of Proven Ways for Getting New Customers without cost or obligation.

Liz Jazwiec, author of Eat That Cookie! Make Workplace Positivity Pay Off…For Individuals, Teams and Organizations, says it doesn’t have to be that way. Companies can deliberately infuse their culture, from top to bottom, with the proverbial “attitude of gratitude.” In fact, those who don’t put gratitude on a pedestal, especially in today’s high-stress work environments, are shooting themselves in the foot and putting their business development plan at risk.

Jazwiec stresses that workplace gratitude isn’t something that is passed only from the boss to the employee. To have a real impact on workplace positivity, employees should show it to one another and to their bosses. And leaders and employees should show it to their customers as part of the business development process. If you want to make this the season of gratitude at your organization, Jazwiec offers these tips:

• Say thanks. When someone does something kind for you, whether it’s your boss, your coworker, or a stranger, recognize it. A simple “thanks” will do. “You can’t expect people to appreciate you if you don’t receive their kindnesses and compliments with thankfulness,” says Jazwiec. “Sure, you might be skeptical if your boss goes to a leadership conference, and upon his return starts handing out compliments left and right. But just stop and think: Are those compliments making people happy? When you are recognized, does it give you even just the tiniest little twinge of happiness?”

• Adopt an “it’s the thought that counts” attitude. Sometimes you have to take into account the intentions of your boss or your coworkers. If it is clear that they meant for something to be a way of thanking you or helping you, don’t complain if they missed the mark. Thank them for thinking of you, and move on.

• Communicate openly and honestly. If it’s gratitude you need, tell someone. Often your leaders or coworkers can be so tied up in their own tasks that they forget about those working around them. The natural reaction when this happens is to either hold in your negative feelings or complain to another coworker. But a more proactive stance might be to opt for open and honest communication.

• Be prepared for some kind words. It isn’t easy for many employees to approach their bosses — even when it’s with a compliment — so make sure you give your people the attention they deserve. Truly listen to them. Take a second, no matter what you are doing, to engage with them. Afterwards, shoot them a quick email or send them a note thanking them for their kind words.

• Thank those you serve. Once you have mastered the gratitude thing with your bosses and coworkers, you need to move on to the people you serve. That’s critical to the success of any business development strategy. Regardless of your line of work, there is no better time to start showing your customers you appreciate them than in a slow economy. It doesn’t really matter how you do it, just make sure they know you are grateful that they are choosing to do business with you over your competition.

Permalink: http://www.fuelnet.com/?p=5492