The Benefits of Gratitude
In the midst of the holidays, we are offered the opportunity to reflect on that which we are grateful for. Gratitude, however, should be a year round celebration, where corporate and personal values blend together to create a sense of community and team. A culture of giving is not only important to building long-term trust among clients and community; it is critical to employee trust and retention. By empowering employees to take action, colleagues are not just colleagues, they become friends. A culture of generosity is healthy for business, says Patricia Thompson, an Atlanta-based corporate psychologist and president of Silver Lining Psychology. Here, she offers the top three reasons to create a culture of generosity in your business:
Enhances Mood
“Research shows that engaging in acts of kindness is associated with greater happiness,” says Thompson. When we are stressed with a negative mindset, our ranges of thoughts are limited, making us less effective as problem solvers. Positive emotions inspire innovation and productivity. “Having positive emotion broadens your perspective and allows you to be more creative and curious,” says Thompson.
Encourages Teamwork
A culture of generosity encourages employees to work together. Successful corporate cultures of giving make available to employees the tools and platforms to get involved in their communities. Employees at all levels want to be involved and make an impact in support of causes that are close to home. By empowering employees to take action, colleagues no longer feel separate, and can form friendships.
Employee Retention
Thompson says more and more the newest generations of employees are looking for more meaning from their work. A 2010 study by the Pew Research Center found 21 percent of millennials place a higher priority on helping people in need while only 15 percent placed priority on having a high-paying career. “Having opportunities to feel they’re getting fulfillment through their work and not just a paycheck is increasingly important,” says Thompson. The most loyal employees are those who feel fulfilled, giving businesses that embrace a culture of generosity a competitive advantage.
Though not always easy, companies have a great responsibility to not only take care of their people, but to give back to their community. It means navigating and guiding diversity toward a common cause or vision. It means creating a team-oriented atmosphere with a unique community mindset. It means building a team where we trust in something bigger than our individual drives.
The Culture Counts blog is a discussion of law firm culture and legal innovation, including topics such as effective leadership, employee engagement, workplace culture, ideal work environment, company core values, and workplace productivity.
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