Why Leading With Gratitude Is More Important Than Ever

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Gratitude is not a strategy. It is a way of life. It is how you see the world around you. It is how you see yourself. It is how you do your work. It is how you treat people. It is how you face challenges. Above all, gratitude is a way of saying, ‘Life is great, no matter what!’

According to Adrian and Chester, ‘A lack of gratitude is a form of stupidity. It leaves on the table an enormously powerful tool not only to inspire people to reach their potential, but to actually better understand the true nature of their contributions.’

Developing genuine gratitude involves carefully observing what employees are doing, walking in their shoes, developing greater empathy, and sincerely trying to understand the challenges they face.’

‘Developing respect is about helping others grow and supporting people who make honest mistakes. It includes sharing the credit and absorbing blame when needed.’

‘When the right behaviors are in place, there is little time spent in fear.’

… gratitude provides clarity about whether the work they are doing is correct, valued by the boss or others, and making a significant contribution to the business.’

‘Expressing authentic gratitude is about much more than what a leader says, or even how she says it- it’s about why she says it.’

‘If employees are afraid of punitive actions, they are more likely to try to cover up problems.’

‘Leaders who develop empathy for others are great enablers of authentic gratitude.’

‘Creativity requires trust. Cultures of low trust, where managers react badly to failure, create too negative an environment for productivity and innovation to flow.’

‘Avoid the over-ask- especting too much from employees by asking for ideas that are out of their purview or asking too many questions at once.’

Source:

Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton (2020). Leading with Gratitude: Eight Leadership Practices for Extraordinary Business Results

How To Navigate Leadership In A Changing World

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Leadership is not easy. It is not for people who don’t know what they want for themselves.

Leadership is not for those who don’t believe that they have what it takes to make a difference in the world.

Leadership is for people who are not afraid to do what other people don’t want to do.

If you are comfortable with yourself, leadership is for you.

‘If you lead from your best self, you feel exellence and even elation within you.’

‘If you are not able to enact courage to have a conversation or take action, the effects are significant.’

‘If you practice self-awareness, you can more easily notice fear, pause for reflective sense-making, and act.’

Acknowledging when you don’t know something sets up conditions for receiving support.’

‘Inspiring vision requires you to be a continuous student, learning from various outlets.’

‘Remember that every individual retains areas where they are not strong.’

‘Being an inclusive leader means you don’t have to be the superhero. You don’t have to know everything and do everything.’

‘Conrageous conversation mean being fearless in having direct conversations but in a thoughtful and gracious manner.’

‘As an authentic leader, if you make a mistake, own it, and try to make things better.’

‘The willingness to share of yourself in contextually appropriate and honest ways is important for buidling followership and building the next generation of leaders.’

Source:

Susan MacKenty Brady, Janet Foutty, & Lynn Perry Wooten (2022). Arrive and Thrive: 7 Impactful Practices for Women Navigating Leadership