The importance of embracing gratitude in your business

By Lenka Davis & Robin Anderson

At the beginning of 2020, who could foresee that we would spend most of the year immersed in a pandemic along with all the challenges that come with it? 

Because of this, we decided to end this unpredictable year writing about the importance of embracing gratitude into the culture of your business. At Fly to Soar, we’ve experienced the benefit of gratitude in two ways, one - expressing appreciation for the benefit of lightening the load for all with laughter for example, no matter how big the challenge and two - how one person’s success can lift an entire team.

While many businesses understand the benefits of treating customers well, they skip passing it on to their employees. While others don’t hesitate to extend gratitude to their customers and employees on a regular basis, through recognition and rewards, demonstrating their gratitude for the extra effort or for the extra business. They know that doing so builds in happiness, loyalty and empowerment. The best part of this is the extension of goodwill a business receives from them sharing their positive experiences with others. 

Definition of gratitude:

The quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

There are many benefits of incorporating gratitude into your business culture. With regard to employees, they experience an increase in employee engagement and productivity. (Gallup) Employees whose managers focus on their strengths are more engaged. When employees are more engaged they are more productive which also leads to greater employee retention.

The Global Happiness Council estimated that “a meaningful increase in well-being” yields, on average, about a 10% increase in productivity.

Happier employees work harder, level of work is improved, they stay longer, and extend that happiness to others. The benefits of happy employees also save businesses money with reduced turnover rates, higher quality products and less hostility within the office environment. A positive office environment leads to greater respect for others. And, happy employees tend to extend their gratitude with customers not just in sales but in support which leads to happy and higher levels of trust with customers.

How to build a positive environment company wide:

1. Communicate - Managers that consistently and genuinely communicate through regular meetings, are accessible should a problem arise, and who demonstrate interest and are more approachable, have a higher level of trust from their employees.

2. Set Expectations - Employees whose managers work with them to understand their responsibilities, set priorities, and communicate progress tend to be more engaged and embrace accountability.

3. Focus on Strengths not Weaknesses - Managers who leverage their employees strengths, and give them the opportunity to grow, contribute to a higher level of work and engagement than those who focus on weaknesses.

One well known company whose culture focuses on both their customers and their employees is HubSpot. According to The HubSpot Culture Code:

We (HubSpot) care about obsess over our culture just like our product. Because culture is a product. 

HubSpot's positive culture environment enables it to easily attract customers as well as employees. For their employees, HubSpot’s culture code includes ‘work to make a difference’ and ‘value amazing people’ instills the feeling of work that matters - really helping the customers. According to Comparably and their “Happiest Employees” list, employees who are given the opportunity to grow, meet their career goals, rank their company’s high on workplace culture. By helping their employees achieve success, HubSpot is empowering their employees to help their customers be successful.

Happy employees -> Happy customers -> Successful company

This has been the most unpredictable year. Some highs, some lows, some eerily quiet times. As we quickly approach the end of this spirited year, we are taking a moment to thank those who have helped us to build our business and make it a success. Because without you, we would not still be here, doing what we can to help others. 

From Lenka and I - THANK YOU! For your patience, support, and most importantly, trusting us to assist you with growing your business.

Let us know how you and your company are doing. Send us an email, or share on social media.

FunFact 

To end the year on a happy note:

WeRateDogs (@dog_rates) 8.9M followers on Twitter

WeRateDogs was created in 2015 by Matt Nelson, a college student. The account started as a poll to determine if he should create an account dedicated to rating dogs. The majority responded with a YES. WeRateDogs is an account that posts pictures of dogs with humorous copy and a rating 10/10 - with all dogs always getting a rating higher than a 10 as all dogs are “good dogs.” Matt’s initial goal with the account was to make people happy. 8.9M followers on Twitter, indicate a pretty strong fan base.