Gratitude Summary

Purpose: To demonstrate the positive and renewing social force of Gratitude.

Intended Outcome: To see Gratitude as a source of personal fulfillment and understand ways to inject that spirit into your community.

Gratitude is the capacity for appreciating the positive benefits we receive in life. There is a reason Gratitude is the capstone of the seven capacities of Positive Leadership: Gratitude is essential to the thriving of individuals and communities. An authentic person who is also full of Gratitude radiates as a much stronger person than an authentic person who is not grateful. Purpose fueled by Gratitude has more meaning. Gratitude turbocharges one’s Advocacy because its effects are contagious. In the face of a challenge, Gratitude can add a second wind to one’s Resilience. Communities characterized by a mood of Gratitude feel qualitatively different than places of casual association. With a sense of Gratitude, a reasonable leader is able to connect to reality with greater boldness and discernment.

Gratitude and Leadership

In its common usage, Gratitude is simply saying “thanks” for a benefit we receive. In the context of leadership, we realize Gratitude is much more than just thanksgiving. The following descriptions of Gratitude reveal, layer by layer, a clearer picture of its essence.

Gratitude means celebration: When one is grateful for something, there is a mood that exists– one of joy and celebration. Rather than just appreciation, celebration is a matter of expression. Celebration allows for many people to come together in Gratitude.

Gratitude means reciprocation: Reciprocation is a demonstration of Gratitude by providing something in return for something received. When we reciprocate someone’s kindness, we take action by either doing something positive in return to the giver or “paying it forward.” When people truly feel grateful, it has an amazing ability to multiply.

Gratitude means connection: When we feel authentically grateful, we build richer connections. Rather than feel indebted, we are supported and gain a desire to connect.

Gratitude means fulfillment: A true experience of Gratitude leaves one feeling fuller than before. Your community rises and falls, in large part, according to the talents and contributions of its members. Fulfilled members and leaders can simply do more.

Gratitude as repair: When possessions/relationships decay, it signals that they are not priorities. When we repair the things that hold value for us, it is a statement of their importance. Gratitude in the form of an authentic apology can be amazingly restorative.

Gratitude as happiness: The connection between Gratitude and happiness is clear. Grateful people tend to have higher vitality, be less materialistic, and are more empathetic. The impact that Gratitude has on communities results in people who are more positive, alert, determined, enthusiastic, energetic, and willing to help others.

Gratitude as leadership: We must remember that organizations are in service of humanity and not the other way around. When a leader “does right” by someone, it often causes that individual to want to “do right” by others. A positive leader understands the tremendous generative effect Gratitude has on the people they serve.

Gateways to Gratitude

In order for us to experience Gratitude, we must perceive and process experiences through several layers. We can refer to these layers as the “gateways” to Gratitude.

Gateway 1: Presence– Presence requires being in the moment. The culprit undermining presence is the mind, because it can be scattered– back in the past or ahead in the future. By being mindful, or practicing being aware of when your mind wanders, we can work on our ability to be present. Presence is a necessary gateway to Gratitude because it allows us to take in an experience and pay attention to what is happening while it is happening. Think of pausing to observe the stars and saying, “I should do this more often.” Such thoughts cannot occur unless you are truly present.

Gateway 2: Observe– Observe is dependent upon presence. Only when you are in the moment are you able to truly observe the world around you, gaining the ability to catch the little things that mean a lot, both physically and mentally. When we take moments to be present, we can more clearly observe our own thoughts and feelings and gain a clearer understanding of who we are. Observance allows for recognition.

Gateway 3: Recognize– After taking time to be present and observe, we are able to see realities that we may have missed before. Small issues at work or in relationships could turn into huge problems if they are not recognized.

Gateway 4: Expression– Finally, we must express our Gratitude. Just like with so many experiences, we somehow expect that because it is obvious to us it must be obvious to others. This is not so. Do not let the Gratitude you feel, and the potential positive actions it will evoke, go to waste by not expressing it.

Gratitude Inhibitors

Hustle and Bustle: Gratitude is difficult to express when you are busy. When you are consumed with too much to do, it is easy to lose sight of what fills you with Gratitude.

Focus on Self: Gratitude is not a solo sport. It is something we project outwardly into the world. We limit our ability to appreciate others when we are too busy looking at ourselves.

Redundancy: Repetition can dull our senses, while new and novel experiences keep us alert. Our capacity for Gratitude is diminished if we do not have challenges and newness in our lives.