Okay, so it’s no surprise that having a lack of good manners has an alienating effect. But what about neutral manners in business? Strict professionalism or pleasant casualness are both great attributes of any establishment, depending on the approach that works best for their corner of the market. But there’s something that all styles of companies can invite into their modus operandi that transcends brands that will keep the momentum and ensure they break the atmosphere.
You don’t have to be fake, come up with intricate hijinks, or spend time or money you don’t have to bring your company to new heights.
Ready to learn what I’m talking about? (As if the title didn’t already give it away.)
But surely it can’t be so simple as to say “thank you” now and again. So, let’s explore that. Why not?
In this article:
What You Spend Time Appreciating, Appreciates.
What does this mean? In this turn of phrase once uttered by the guru Buddha, “appreciating” means holding in your mind certain thoughts, where your focus lies. The ensuing “appreciates” refers to developing, actualizing in the real world.
But that’s not certainly not how it works. Especially in business. …Right?
Well, actually… it kinda is.
I didn’t used to be someone who believed in the law of attraction, and not because I actively disregarded it. It just seemed a bit “woowoo” and I was raised to dismiss it like any good Western thinker.
But as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized thinking your intellect holds the entire answer often causes one to overlook other truths in the world, missing out on nuanced possibilities that float by like whispers on clouds that those in-tune to the frequency of the universe pick up on. Life and circumstance are not as static as we’d wish them to be for simplicity’s sake; rather, our world and existence in it is wonderfully dynamic and multifaceted.
In the world of business today, the culture especially in America heavily relies on logic, statistics, data, and bottom lines. While that is all well and good and inarguably important cogs, the hyperfocus ends up creating a tunnel vision of getting things done quickly, and as profitably as possible. This detaches us from the more human parts of our nature as we are cultivated to focus on the material at our fingertips at the expense of some of our more basic human functionings.
But we are, even on the job, still human.
“It’s not personal, it’s business.”
– Every business person ever justifying actions taken for the good of the company, no matter what or who it hurts.
And honestly, I get it. Having things be cut-and-dry makes streamlining processes easier, and admittedly smoother. But at what cost? Maximizing profits by minimizing others is the way of the world. Yet, these sentiments are changing as folks are standing up against working for individual success and instead focusing on rising up together.
Don’t get left behind at the station as this train chugs forward; all are welcome aboard. And in this blog, we talk about how starting with gratitude can be the high-quality fuel to get you to the next stage of the journey.
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What Gratitude Isn’t
There are a lot of things that gratitude entails beyond “the magic words” of thank you, but first, let’s get on the same page of what gratitude isn’t so we can move forward with a common understanding by getting some common misconceptions out of the way.
It’s important to note that gratitude reaches beyond simple politeness or manners. While these social graces hold their place, gratitude delves deeper. It encompasses sincere appreciation, recognizing the specific actions and qualities that have profoundly touched our lives.
And it isn’t about pretending everything is hunky-dory, either. You don’t have to don rose-colored glasses because true gratitude doesn’t require suppressing negative emotions or denying life’s challenges. In fact, gratitude thrives alongside adversity, offering a balanced perspective that embraces both the positive and the difficult. Gratitude can be a liferaft when the sea of life is tumultuous from a storm so that you don’t drown.
If you are feeling obligated to show appreciation, that isn’t gratitude – it’s duty. And sometimes it’s appropriate to lean into that, but not here. Gratitude extends far beyond mere obligation or debt. In fact, it’s the opposite! It’s a desire to appreciate the effort or sacrifice or beauty of something or someone. Gratitude comes when you get curious about how something happened or who someone is.
Yet, some mistake gratitude as a transactional exchange, expecting a return for their appreciation. But true gratitude surpasses such notions, being rooted in genuine recognition and heartfelt appreciation. Not volleying compliments as if in battle, but as an expression of yourself.
But I’ll look like a sap!, you may be thinking. Believe it or not, gratitude is not a sign of weakness or submission. It may feel that way because when you show true appreciation, you are exposing a little bit of your true self, which is scary. It’s complicated for the ego that whispers that if you appreciate others, that means you are not capable and need to rely on others, challenging an idea of independence and ability.
Bluntly put, it’s pride. And while pride has its place, hubristic pride has a tendency to sneak in and take residence up where it can cause harm, too. A coping mechanism built for individual survival that gets in the way of connecting with others, and your own inner self, that doesn’t fit in a successful society.
Just because someone is strong doesn’t make you any less so. Not acknowledging someone else’s strength is an action that feeds insecurity. That’s why gratitude is often referred to great minds as a brave virtue. You can gracefully acknowledge the value and efforts of others while honoring one’s own worth.
By understanding what gratitude is not, we gain a more profound understanding of its essence. Gratitude, with its optimistic outlook and power to foster personal and relational growth, beckons us to embrace its transformative potential.
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Why It Works in Business
Where we direct our attention is crucial, much like how water and sunshine nurture the seeds in a garden. If we focus on cultivating seeds of scarcity, such as acquisition, accumulation, and greed, we’ll find scarcity permeating our lives and the world around us. However, if we choose to tend to the seeds of sufficiency, giving them our attention and using our financial resources purposefully, we will reap a bountiful harvest of fulfillment and abundance. Imagine living in a flourishing world that works for us all.
A lofty aim? Yes. A challenging road? Most certainly. Worth the effort? We can’t afford not to.
You can’t change the world in a day, but you can influence the course. Think of every deed you do as one that nudges destiny, whether you want it to or not. The choices we all make add up to a sum, and because of the confluence, we need each other to work together to formulate a strategy. If you steer your reality in a way that runs over others, you’re going to run out of road. But, if you blueprint and create one together, you can build a path that allows a solid passage and a sustainable way forward.
And that goes for forging strong business relationships, because in partnering up, you strengthen the possibilities as you direct your energies together.
How Gratitude is a Cornerstone of Strong Partnerships
Let’s dive into the claim that practicing gratitude is a powerful tool for building strong business partnerships, shall we? Practicing gratitude helps strengthen business partnerships because it:
Gratitude creates a sense of trust and goodwill between partners. By expressing genuinely your appreciation for their efforts, support, or ideas, you acknowledge their value and contribution. This fosters a positive and supportive atmosphere, which motivates partners to continue working together.
When partners take appreciation to heart, they are more likely to share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. By expressing gratitude for their input, you create a safe space for dialogue, leading to better problem-solving and innovation within the partnership.
As partners feel valued, they are more likely to actively engage in joint initiatives and work together towards shared goals. Gratitude strengthens the sense of unity and encourages a collaborative mindset, leading to increased productivity and mutual success.
Showing gratitude establishes a sense of respectful camaraderie, encouraging feeling invested in the partnership’s success and remaining committed for the long term. This sense of loyalty strengthens bonds and creates a solid foundation for continued growth and shared achievements.
Businesses are made of people, and when you express gratitude, you establish a connection beyond the professional realm. This strengthens the overall relationship and creates a positive working dynamic, fostering a partnership that is built on respect, trust, and mutual support.
On the contrary, business partnerships that don’t express gratitude can face various challenges and negative consequences. And that doesn’t even mean being actively ungrateful – taking things for granted because “they’re just doing their job” is not wrong. But it is less than fruitful. If company leadership takes the road of unspoken recognition, in their business partnerships they might see a deterioration of trust or affinity, decreased engagement, poor communication, weakening of commitments, ultimately leading to possible partnership dissolution.
With strained relationships within the partnership, both sides tend to become disengaged and lack investment in the success of the other, ultimately leading to stunted business growth, lack of innovation and ability to problem-solve, and a dearth of opportunities that otherwise would be available.
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10 Creative & Meaningful Ways You Can Say Thank You
A lot of the time, a verbal “thank you” is a morale-boosting and easy way to go. Yet, getting specific about what you’re grateful for shows that you really value the receiver.
However, you’ll find that lip service can only unlock so much potential. Using creativity and genuinity as your guide, you remove limitations you didn’t even realize exists. To get you started, check out these clever ideas that can make a world of difference:
- Personalized Thank-You Notes. Taking the time to hand-write meaningful thank-you notes to express your gratitude for specific actions or contributions shows thoughtfulness.
- Celebrate Milestones Together. Acknowledge significant achievements or growth by organizing a joint celebration or event. This could be a team outing, a dinner, or a special activity that allows partners to come together and appreciate their collective efforts.
- Share Positive Testimonials. Learning that someone thought well enough of your work to leave a positive review is exhilarating! Providing positive testimonials can enhance your partners’ reputation; publicly recognizing their strengths and successes not only shows appreciation but also helps their business grow.
- Surprise Gifts or Tokens of Appreciation. Sending surprise gifts or tokens of appreciation to your partners can add an extra touch of delight during a drab work week. These could be personalized items, experiences, or something related to their interests or hobbies – you don’t have to break the bank.
- Collaborative Philanthropy. My favorite! Giving back as a team strengthens the partnership while making a positive impact on society. Engaging in joint philanthropic activities or charitable initiatives together could involve partnering on a social responsibility project, volunteering for a cause, or making a donation in each other’s name.
- Cross-Promotion and Referrals. Actively promoting and referring your partners’ services or products to your network not only helps their business grow but also demonstrates your trust and confidence in their capabilities.
- Professional Development Opportunities. Believing in someone is an ultimate gift, and investing in their development shows your commitment to their success. Support your partners’ professional growth by providing them with access to conferences, workshops, or training programs that align with their interests and goals.
- Recognition in Company Newsletters or Internal Communications. Shine a spotlight on your partners by featuring them in your company newsletters or internal communications. You can share success stories, collaborations, or interviews that showcase their expertise and achievements to boost the relationship.
- Collaborative Innovation Sessions. Set aside dedicated time for collaborative brainstorming sessions where partners can openly share ideas, insights, and suggestions. This fosters a sense of collaboration, creativity, and mutual respect, highlighting the value of their contributions. This can even be used to decide on what causes to work toward (#5) or open the floor to learn how they’d like to be recognized #8)!
- Regular Check-Ins and Feedback. Take notes on this one. Schedule regular check-ins to discuss progress, challenges, and opportunities, because communication is key to maintaining any partnership, while silence is a gradual killer. Open communication and feedback demonstrate your commitment to a transparent and thriving partnership, and shows you’re all-in.
DON’T MISS THIS BIG TAKEAWAY!
None of these will matter if your approach is obligatory or grounded in well-meaning manipulation. The most important aspect of showing appreciation is to be sincere, genuine, and consistent in your efforts. Tailor your gestures to align with your partners’ preferences and values, and let your appreciation be a reflection of the unique partnership you share.
Challenge Accepted!
So whether it’s to a colleague, a business partner, a manager, a subordinate, or even yourself, showing a little appreciation can go a long way.
So far, in fact, that you’ll be surprised how far you’ve gone.
Try it for a month, and see what happens. Answer these questions at the end of the month:
- What, if anything, has changed about the energy of the people I work with around me?
- How do I feel coming into work these days? How does that compare to a month ago?
- What challenges did this experiment present? How were they addressed, and would I like to see go differently, if anything, next time that issue might arise?
- What would it be like to continue down this path moving forward?
A month is a great commitment, but for those of you seeking a true challenge, try it for 3, or even 6 months.
Fullmoon would love to hear from you how this experiment goes! Please come back and drop a line with your discoveries. We can’t wait to see what you uncover.
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