Thinking Differently about Thankfulness

November 22, 2015

Photo by Joyful on Unsplash

As the holiday season is about to begin, I’ve been thinking about thankfulness as an essential leadership trait. This may not be something that readily springs to mind when considering leadership qualities but I am convinced that it is a crucial element that defines greatness.

For thankfulness to be part of a leaders toolbox, the individual must be secure in their abilities, understand their strengths and believe that nothing should be taken for granted. It takes a secure leader to fully express gratitude in a public setting without being perceived as insincere. It takes confidence to verbalize “feelings” for it can be deemed as too touchy, soft or even, dare I say it, feminine. As a leader, thankfulness is felt for those employees who are loyal, responsible and resourceful; those good to great colleagues who understand their jobs and do them with little muss or fuss. Publicly expressing gratitude and praising employees is vital but must be accompanied by actions that substantiate the words. Actions create a sensibility and synergy that permeates the organization enabling employees to be and do more than they imagined. The very quality of thankfulness is grounded in the ability to listen and understand how to ask questions that get to the root of an issue.

A thankful leader:

Consistently treats people with respect and is caring

Is reliable in word and deed

Listens to the contrarian with sincerity and interest

Appreciates creative individuals

Is willing to teach anyone how to be a better professional

Is aware that time spent with employees adds meaning to the work they do.

Whether it is time spent teaching, talking, or sharing with employees, there is an intrinsic factor that benefits all involved. The modern workday is defined by doing and too often time with employees suffers. Email, text and phone messages are not a replacement for face-to-face, one-on-one time with direct reports. Professing an open door policy is meaningless and duplicitous when the leader’s presence is rare. The best professionals crave time with their leader.  

A thankful leader is innately loyal to employees and this very trait engenders loyalty in return as it is clear to employees their contribution to the success of the business is valued. Perhaps thankfulness is the special ingredient that is missing from organizations that almost achieve their goals, but can’t quite figure out how to.

So this holiday season, consider whether you make the grade as a leader who is thankful.  

Dr. Lalia Rach is founder and partner of Rach Enterprises, a consulting firm that takes an uncommon sense approach and delivers genuine ideas that challenge traditional thinking. Blending professionalism, intelligence and enthusiasm, Lalia stimulates new thinking on leadership, risk-taking, strategy and innovation for clients who are seeking to escape the status quo. Lalia is a trusted adviser to senior level executives at many leading organizations due to her straightforward approach to business concerns and creative solutions that are results driven.