For individuals working in the healthcare industry – and particularly those within the senior care space – this year it might be difficult to feel grateful for very much. There has been an incredible amount of stress around trying to keep a particularly vulnerable group of people safe and healthy in the midst of a global pandemic. This year has also brought a lot of uncertainty, and the future is still unclear.
As difficult or as pointless as it may feel, the simple act of showing gratitude can make a big difference – not only in things like workplace morale and company culture but also when it comes to things like productivity and burnout. Take some time to think about the things at work that have made your life easier or the people who have helped manage your stress and brought a smile to your face. Make a point to recognize these positive influences, and let them know how you feel.
This exercise will be beneficial to anyone, regardless of whether you are working directly with seniors with preexisting conditions or not. That being said, it will be particularly important for managers to demonstrate a positive mindset, and set a precedence for team members.
In this article, we will go over some of the biggest benefits that organizations can realize when you actively show your employees gratitude.
Lowers stress and anxiety levels
With a lot of workplace systems and regulations changing, and so much about the future remaining unknown, it is likely that your employees are feeling pretty emotionally burdened. It can help tremendously for employees to hear from their managers that they are successfully navigating these choppy waters. This reassurance can remove some of their stress and anxiety, which will likely only continue to improve the situation, as calmer employees tend to make fewer mistakes.
Reinstates a feeling of purpose
Having your time and effort recognized also goes a long way when it comes to the feelings of responsibility and pride. Actively showing your employees gratitude is a good way to reinstate their ownership and commitment to the work. As a result, they are likely to have improved productivity levels and generally feel more satisfied with their position and the company as a whole.
Strengthens relationships
In the long term, creating a culture of recognition and gratitude will have a major effect on the quality of your teams. It is a great display of respect, which is important for establishing and maintaining healthy communication channels. As a result, employees and their managers may be able to talk through any potential issues, creating a better workplace environment and leading to longer tenures, on average.
Showing gratitude to your employees can greatly improve their entire experience. They are more likely to be happy and productive, both of which can improve your company’s bottom line. Beyond that, this is also a technique that can help managers have a more positive perspective for the future – an important quality of great leadership.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash