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Happy New Year Micro Trends Family! I wish you hope, joy, and lots of love in 2020! Have you started any of your new year’s resolutions yet? Although I have a list of resolutions set and ready to go, implementing them has been a different story. Despite it being a slow start, I am gradually gaining some momentum on my goals.

Most people’s resolutions involve goals aimed at making them stronger, happier, more positive, and more grateful. The cliched phrase of “new year, new me” comes to mind. Although I utterly detest the phrase, implementing some of these resolutions can benefit your business as well. For example, did you know that there is a powerful link between gratitude and effective leadership?

According to a survey by the John Templeton Foundation, Americans are less likely to express gratitude at work than anywhere else. An astonishing 60% of the 2,000 Americans surveyed claimed that they “either never express gratitude at work or do so perhaps once a year” (Smith, J.A).

Inhibiting acts of gratitude in the workplace is counteractive to several research supported claims that gratitude can play a vital role in employer effectiveness and overall workplace productivity.

There seems to truly be great power in gratitude! A study by the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, assessed university students making fund raising calls and spilt them into two groups. One group of students received no talk prior to beginning their fund-raising calls, while the other received a short pep talk by the director of the fundraising committee. The director expressed gratitude towards their efforts and voiced her appreciation. Interestingly, the group that received a pep talk, made 50% more fundraising calls the following week (Harvard Health). Amazing!

Similarly, coinciding research claims that expressing gratitude during work can increase and initiate more patience. A specific study assessed emotions of gratitude, happiness, and neutrality in reference to immediate cash payout or a delayed greater payout. Prior to making their decisions, participants were asked to recall and briefly write about an event that made them feel happy, grateful, or neutral. The study found that individuals who recalled a grateful incident showed patience and were more willing to wait for the delayed greater payout, while those that recalled happy or neutral conditions sought immediate cash gratification. Gratitude assists in modifying instant gratification for long term superior results (Destano, D). This can prove vital in business!

Essentially, the power of gratitude has proven to be manifold. Expressing appreciation is not only necessary amongst friends and family, but essential in the work environment. If you are feeling appreciative of someone’s efforts, be sure to express it.

While we are on the topic, I would like to express my deepest appreciation towards you all, the Micro Trends Family! We are so proud to have you in our community. I truly hope you are enjoying our monthly newsletters. As always, elevate your business technology with Micro Trends!

References

Desteno, D., Harvard Business Review. Gratitude Is the New Willpower. Retrieved from
https://hbr.org/2014/04/gratitude-is-the-new-willpower

Harvard Health. Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier. Retrieved from
https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier

Smith, J. A., UC Berkeley, Ggsc. (n.d.). Five Ways to Cultivate Gratitude at Work. Retrieved from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/five_ways_to_cultivate_gratitude_at_work