Let’s Celebrate Co-Workers During National Gratitude Month
As we head into the holiday season, it can be easy to get caught up in accelerated deadlines and endless to-do lists. We all know that this time of year brings the end-of-quarter rush, added workloads due to vacation times, and last-ditch efforts to meet deadlines. But during these hectic times, we must remember to give thanks to those we work with, especially after another challenging year of working through a pandemic.
With November being National Gratitude Month and a reminder to give thanks to those around us, don’t forget to give thanks to your team on a day-to-day basis.
As co-workers, a couple of ways to create a culture of appreciation are as follows:
● Send words of gratitude - Whether your co-workers did a great job during a presentation, or got a win for the company, send them a quick email or message congratulating them. It can take as little as 30 seconds to make someone’s day and to make their hard work feel noticed.
● Give a shout out - If a co-worker was promoted, or completed a project you're excited to share, give them a shout out at a team meeting, or even on LinkedIn. It’s great to share and celebrate your team’s successes and give them credit for everything they have done. This can also help others feel more connected and part of the team.
● Send your co-worker a nice gift - If a member of your team helped you fix a problem, or you want to send them something nice on their work-anniversary, or even just because, instead of treating them to a coffee or lunch (while that is still a nice gesture), consider something that they will be able to use on a daily basis. One of our clients, Knack has a variety of custom gift boxes that you can search by recipient, occasion, or interest. Their Thank You curated gift sets, gift sets for The Office, or even gifts from Knack’s Mini Collection can brighten their day, show gratitude, and strengthen your bond as a team. Plus, you can always create a gift from scratch with all of their favorite things, including with Knack’s Shop by Ethos category to include items that support their values (ex: gifts from women-owned and BIPOC-owned businesses, gifts that give back, sustainable gifts and more). Plus, they will be surprised and delighted to receive a beautifully wrapped gift with a custom message and optional video message thanking them for their efforts.
● Return the favor - If your co-worker picked up some of your work while you were out, or when you were slammed, take time to do the same for them, and help them out. Even if you’re busy, tell them when you're able to do so, and make sure to hold yourself accountable for it.
● Encourage leadership to make gratitude part of your everyday company culture - If you don’t already have something put in place, encourage your boss to add in processes that help celebrate the wins of employees. Whether it's an employee of the month award or incorporating shout outs in your weekly team meetings, having something in place across the whole company is beneficial to further appreciating employees.
There are so many ways to thank those you work with every day, and showing your appreciation won’t go unnoticed. Plus, many studies have found that expressing gratitude can help strengthen teams, boost retention, and strengthen company culture. Considering we spend a third of our days, and even sometimes more, working, it’s important to create a culture with your team where you feel like your voice and hard work matters. So, don’t forget to take a few minutes out of your schedule each day to thank the ones working alongside you.
