Ending my fifth week with Integrity after the third layoff of my career, I am filled with gratitude. But the funny thing is, the Integrity workplace is brimming with gratitude, recognition, and yes, boom emojis! It’s part of the language we speak and the actions we take every day.
Gratefulness is a Core Value
Not surprising. It’s right there in the employee handbook. Gratefulness is one of our company values. I see these in action every day:
- Fun
- Happiness
- Humility
- Gratefulness
- Responsiveness
- Communication
- Excellence
- Understanding
- Productivity
- Learning
- Problem-solving and, of course…
- Integrity!
I remember at the end of one of my interviews, Jamal gave me a tour of the office. I asked him about the rainbow animation of the Integrity logo on the website. One of my core values is to work for a company where everyone can bring their whole person to work. I wanted to make sure this was a safe place for me and for any LGBTQ+ person. He answered with kindness and inclusiveness and he handed me a physical copy of the employee handbook.
I read that handbook word-for-word several times. Even though I was unemployed, I was vetting every company I interviewed with as much as they were evaluating me and my skills. It was clear that Integrity had the potential to be the coolest job I’ve ever had. (You can download the handbook here!)
Living the Values
The great news is that the company values weren’t just written by a talented copy writer, I have experienced all of them.
If you are a client: This team is super smart, talented, and wildly passionate about your work and your success. Every week, there is some major milestone reached or technology launched and we all experience that celebration in Slack. Program leaders giving shoutouts, compliments, and stories behind challenging projects while also calling out co-workers for their great work and dedication. There is always recognition and gratitude for each other. And, yes, there are boom emojis. And spaceships, 100%, trophies, etc. As an elder Gen X-er, I admit my emoji game needs some work!
If you are a job seeker: As you make your checklist of items for your ideal job, think about your ideal workplace culture. I encourage you to learn more about Integrity. Keep reading below to learn more about our culture and I bet you will want to submit your resume via the form at the bottom of the careers page! We are always looking for great talent!
If you are a business owner: You should know that gratitude in the workplace has a profound impact on company culture, employee well-being, and overall organizational success. I think Integrity’s culture is proof. It starts with you. John and Ed are quick to chime in with more shoutouts and thank yous. This happens online in Slack and in person in the office. Contact us today if you would like to start a conversation about a future collaboration.
While I have already experienced a welcoming and positive work environment with Integrity, I thought I would explore more about workplace gratitude for this article.
What is Workplace Gratitude?
We teach babies to say thank you as soon as they learn to speak. We should have the same expectations of adults at work.
But workplace gratitude is more than just saying “thank you.” It’s a genuine attitude that fosters a culture of appreciation and recognition for the hard work, efforts of other people, and positive things happening within the organization. It can be expressed in various ways, from a simple handwritten note in Slack or Teams to public recognition during team meetings. I’ve also seen companies use glass trophies, reward points, and tangible merchandise for recognition and gratitude for years of service.
Psychological Benefits of Gratitude
This isn’t just a ‘woo woo’ new age idea for running a business. Research from the John Templeton Foundation delves into the science of gratitude. There is evidence connecting gratitude to numerous psychological benefits. It’s reasonable to conclude that workplace practices fostering gratitude could yield comparable positive outcomes for your employees and business. Cultivating a culture of gratitude can improve team dynamics, boost morale, and promote stronger relationships among team members.
Physical Benefits of Gratitude
According to psychologist Robert Emmons, gratitude is a powerful tool that not only enhances emotional states, but also contributes to better physical health and fewer health complaints. He has linked gratitude and well-being, with grateful people often experiencing fewer headaches, less stress, and a positive work environment that encourages personal growth and greater satisfaction.
Grateful people may be healthier?! What if you could minimize health insurance costs in your business by creating a workplace culture where you encourage everyone to express gratitude?
4 Ways to Foster Gratitude in the Workplace
Other articles on gratitude will include suggestions like creating an employee recognition program, suggesting employees write gratitude journals, or loading points onto a gift card. Write thank you notes or thank you emails and compliment people in meetings. Those are pretty obvious. I wanted to share ideas that I have experienced here at Integrity.
1. Leadership Support
I already mentioned how Ed and John really set the tone and lead by example with their enthusiasm and gratitude towards our team. They have truly embedded gratitude into the company culture. Whether it’s a casual conversation at lunch or through lively Slack chatter, these practices create a great opportunity for employees to feel connected on a deeper level, whether in person or working from home.
2. Decentralized, Empowered Employees
Integrity’s business model is based on holacracy which features a flat structure and requires radical transparency. We all hold each other accountable and do our best to never make anyone else’s job harder. Everyone is encouraged to continuously learn and contribute. The expression of gratitude flows freely in this environment.
3. Intentional Feedback
Integrity encourages a spirit of overcommunication and intentional feedback. That the more context and information everyone has, the more successful we will be. This empowers new employees like myself to speak up and offer suggestions. While I am new to Integrity, I bring 30 years of marketing experience that I want to apply to help our clients and my team be more successful.
I participated in a practice session for an end-of-the-year client meeting. I made a few suggestions from the client point of view to prepare back-up for some of the metrics. My co-workers came to the meeting with the numbers, just in case. As luck would have it, the client asked the exact questions I predicted, and my team crushed it! After the meeting, the gratitude was free-flowing all around!
4. Shared Ownership
The idea of shared ownership goes right along with the holacracy model. We are all in this together and this is not an accident. The culture has been hand-crafted with a foundation of psychological safety. This includes open communication, interpersonal trust and respect, and leadership support. Genuine gratitude thrives here.
The Positive Impact of Gratitude
The positive effects of gratitude in the workplace extend far beyond employee experience. From boosting employee satisfaction and motivation to improving team dynamics, the power of gratitude creates a ripple effect that benefits everyone. By expressing gratitude regularly and focusing on the positive things happening in the workplace, organizations can foster higher levels of engagement, stronger relationships, and greater productivity.
Making Gratitude a Regular Practice
Your company has a workplace culture whether you actively manage it or not. Culture could be a competitive advantage when it comes to recruiting and hiring.
Embed regular “thank yous” and expressions of gratitude into daily practice. Use communication channels like Slack, email, team meetings, and even social media to express thanks. Recognize the core values of your company by acknowledging the efforts of your team and celebrating their successes.
Gratitude is more than just a powerful way to boost morale—it’s an important element of creating a better place to work. By embracing gratitude practices, organizations can create a positive work environment where employees feel valued and motivated to achieve their best. That is definitely how I feel at Integrity!