Your Gratitude Attribute
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You're in a meeting. You are experiencing lag and your attention is depleted. You just have nothing left to give and feel like it's game over. Then, a teammate says "I really appreciated what you did for me the other day. Your support helped me get through the rest of that project and it was a success!" It's like your teammate just hit you with a healing spell. You have your proverbial pep back in your step and are ready to face the rest of the day. And it's all because your teammate expressed some gratitude.
Gratitude: the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
Dr. Robert Emmons, a professor of psychology at UC Davis, conducted research supporting this idea. His data reveals that gratitude reduces stress by a significant 23% and blocks toxic emotions that often derail us. It's the psychological equivalent of quaffing a mana potion. Gratitude enables teams to blast through project challenges with the tenacity and skill of a seasoned clan facing a boss battle.
(How to Practice Gratitude as a Team - Work Life by Atlassian)
Boosting HP: Gratitude as the Ultimate Health Elixir
But gratitude does more than just impact your problem-solving skills and emotional well-being. Gratitude, akin to a health elixir, has been shown to improve eating habits, quality of sleep, and cardiovascular health. Just as a gamer strategically uses resources to maintain health, leaders can cultivate a culture of gratitude to foster a healthier, more vibrant team.
(Practicing Gratitude for Better Health and Well-Being | University of Utah Health)
Upgrading Your Leadership Skill Tree with Gratitude
For team leaders, gratitude is a skill worth leveling up.
Every gamer knows the value of a strong team in multiplayer scenarios. Similarly, in the workplace, gratitude enhances empathy and teamwork by releasing the neurotransmitter oxytocin in people on the receiving end of gratitude. Oxytocin acts like a cooperative buff, encouraging team members to support each other, reducing conflicts, and enhancing problem-solving skills.
Additionally, research from the Journal of Psychological Science shows that gratitude positively influences manager-employee relationships, leading to increased loyalty and motivation. It's like upgrading your character's charisma attribute, resulting in a more dedicated and efficient team.
(3 Reasons Why Gratitude Can Retain and Motivate Your Team (foundr.com))
Achievement Unlocked: Strengthening Bonds
In the gaming world, completing objectives or quests often strengthens the player's abilities or relationships with other characters (I'm looking at you. Baldur's Gate 3!). Similarly, expressing gratitude in the workplace can significantly enhance relationships and team cohesion. A study at Wharton found that teams, where gratitude is expressed regularly, are more productive and collaborative, much like a well-coordinated gaming team taking on a complex raid.
(Successful people say ‘thank you:’ The mental benefits of giving thanks | WRAL TechWire)
End Game: Powering Up Your Team with Gratitude
Incorporating gratitude into team practices is akin to utilizing a strategic power-up in a video game. It not only enhances the individual well-being and performance of team members but also transforms the overall environment into a more positive, resilient, and cooperative space. For team leaders looking to level up their leadership skills and boost team performance, gratitude isn't just a nice-to-have—it's a crucial strategy in the game of business success.
Let's embrace gratitude, level up our teams, and transform our workplace dynamics with the strategic wisdom gleaned from the virtual worlds of gaming.
Game on!
Embrace the game of gratitude in your team dynamics and witness the transformation. Share your experiences or thoughts below!
#Teamwork #Leadership #GratitudeInBusiness #GamingWisdom