Start with Gratitude
Randy Wolken, President & CEO
Next week, we celebrate Thanksgiving as a nation. It is an appropriate time to pause and reflect on what to be grateful for. This applies both at work and at home.
Gratitude has real implications for our workplaces, because grateful people perform better. This is not just my experience – it has been shown in study after study, and yet, it is often not a part of the strategic efforts of organizations, but it should be. This time of year is a great time to stop and reflect on who and what we are grateful for.
As leaders, we must express our gratitude to others for what they do for us and our customers. Work can be stressful and demanding. The constant changes in our workplace and the marketplace can cause even more stress. Kindness and gratitude can reduce this stress and make work more enjoyable. Even a friendly smile says I appreciate another without saying a word.
I know how grateful I am for the great team at MACNY and for our member companies. My team does a fantastic job of meeting the needs of our members and the community. Thank you to the members for the times you acknowledge that and let them know how grateful you are. There is nothing like our members letting us know when we do a good job. Likewise, I am always in awe of what our members are doing, they make our regional economy work. When they grow and invest, our local economy grows along with them. The spin-off impact is 3 to 1, this is an excellent return on investment.
As leaders, it is necessary that we focus on the outcomes. However, without talented people working hard, we will not see success. Gratitude is one way we can support our people as they do their jobs. I know it is essential to my work as a leader, I suspect it is for you as well.
Being grateful at home is also vital. Our families and friends are the support networks that allow us to be successful at work. Life is much more enjoyable when those around us are happy. Let’s remember to tell them just how important they are to us this Thanksgiving week.
As leaders, how can we be more grateful? Do we count our blessings daily? Do we express it when we are thankful? Is being grateful something we are known for at work and at home? How might we encourage others to use this vital tool for company and community growth? These are all essential questions for us as leaders during this special week.
Finally, thanks for all you do for our team at MACNY and our community! You make our work meaningful and enjoyable. Thank you!