Part of the leadership development training I facilitate is about improving working with yourself. The adage that you can’t love someone else until you love yourself holds true for management as well. It’s difficult to lead others when you are lost. The 7th chapter of my book, The Manager’s Guide to Becoming a Leader, is titled Leaders Work for the Team, I use the book as an outline for a training session. During the class, we discuss activities to support your team, and one of the ways to do this is by showing gratitude. So, what is a daily workplace gratitude checklist?
Ways to show Gratitude
We shared ways to show gratitude, why it was important to do so, and what it can mean to your team. At the end of the session I shared the list below. We went through the list, and then I asked each manager to pick one thing they were grateful for at work. It didn’t have to be from the list, but it could be.
When we were done, and everyone had shared their gratitude I asked them how the felt. You already know the answer. They were in a happy and positive state. Next, I asked who they could lead in a gratitude exercise. They replied almost anyone anywhere could use a gratitude reminder – their teams at work, family, friends, club, and church.
An Attitude of Gratitude
So, I have two challenges for you. First, share something you’re thankful for at work and secondly, lead a gratefulness session. Let me know in comments how it worked out. I’d be most grateful.
Workplace Gratitude Checklist
1. What’s the best thing that happened today?
2. Name a recent work or life victory
3. Find a positive in a negative
4. What lesson can you learn from a mistake?
5. Appreciate a co-worker
6. Say thank you
7. What do you love about the work you get to do?
8. Who helped you today?
9. Who is always there for you?
10. What has recently made your job easier?
11. What’s something that has recently inspired you?
12. How was today better than yesterday?
13. What did you learn today?
14. What’s the best thing about your job?
15. What’s something you did well today?
16. Name something your team accomplished today?
17. What’s your favorite thing about your team?
18. What’s your favorite thing about your job?
19. What’s your favorite thing about the company?
20. What makes you happy at work?
Postscript
Last Thanksgiving evening my wife and I joined a dozen or so friends in the basement of a local church. It was a gratitude meeting. The couple who led the meeting called on each of us to share what we were grateful for. It was one of the most inspirational meetings I’ve ever been privileged to be a part of.
I like to help people and organizations, but I have three criteria I consider before taking an assignment – I believe in what the organization stands for, I know I can help, and it looks like fun. If you have any questions, Contact Me.
Does your business have a management training plan? Many organizations, large and small, use my book, The New Manager’s Workbook a crash course im effective management, as the basis for their leadership development program.
