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Insight Added (#77)

Think, Feel and Act Like a Leader

Hi <<First Name>>
Here are your latest articles, links, hints and tips on being a better leader.

Think Like a Leader

This newsletter effectively offers a range of key words for leaders, each edition focusing on words critical to effective leadership.  Being a grateful leader is not one that is about technical competence, rather it is about a spirit or attitude central to building the respect of your colleagues. To think gratefully requires conscious effort and attention but doing it consistently will ripple through and positively effect other parts of your thinking.

Feel Like a Leader

None of us can feel grateful all the time but it is a sad reality of many workplaces that people often feel taken for granted rather than appreciated. Think how much better you feel when those significant to you express gratitude for your efforts. Why would your employees feel any different when you show them your appreciation?

Act Like a Leader

There are many and varied ways to show gratitude to your colleagues, but consistently in small ways may be much more effective than the occasional big bang moment. Why not consciously decide to try as many different approaches as possible?
Steve Foran walked away from a career as an electrical engineer after having what you’d call an “ah-ha” moment. He now works with a happiness company called Gratitude at Work and has just published his first book, ‘Surviving to Thriving: The 10 Laws of Grateful Leadership’ to help people develop a grateful mindset.
Leaders Listen!
Karl R. LaPan wrote about ‘a grateful mindset’ in a LinkedIn article.

'Each of us could stand to focus more on what we have than what’s lacking. Paying it forward and sharing it with others can make a huge difference in our lives. Who doesn't need more energy and optimism in this crazy, complicated world we live in today?

So much of success hinges on attitude. A grateful attitude matters and can reap positive rewards in both business and personal relationships. In a way, gratitude begets well-being and happiness leading to a more successful and significant life. Taking time to slow down and acknowledge the good things in your life can help you seek out more wins, and help you feel more positive about the future.

But there’s more to it than just positive thinking. Gratitude requires action, too. If you manage people or engage in professional or personal relationships with others (suppliers, strategic partners, mentors, friends etc.), you have opportunities nearly every day to express these sentiments. It’s a win-win, as they say, in this case. That’s because employees who feel appreciated tend to be more productive.

Additionally, appreciation, which begets positive morale, is a boon to overall retention. Studies have shown over and over the power of praise and appreciation in creating emotional connections with your organization.'
Leaders Read!
This 2020 10-minute presentation is a thoughtful presentation that links being grateful with being an agile leader.
Leaders Watch!

The Leader's View

The drummer of Elgin is a popular piece of street artwork, in the centre of Elgin, set on plain stones behind the Muckle Cross and just beside St Giles Church.

The town drummer here was called William. He did the job for 50 years. It involved going up and down the closes in the morning to get people up to go and work in the factories – the tanneries and woollen mills. Getting up time was originally 4am but it later changed to 5am.  

Surely the denizens of Elgin were grateful for their extra hour? There was a similar routine in the evenings, if there was a curfew required. Apart from the drummer, there is a wee boy running behind him, trying to replicate what the drummer is doing. The dog in the piece is based on the sculptor Alan Heriot’s own dog, which had died about 3 years earlier.

Longer Read

Leading with Gratitude Eight Leadership Practices for Extraordinary Business Results by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton and published by Harper Business in 2020. 

Described as the ‘gurus of gratitude’ they contend the best way to boost morale, increase productivity and create a positive work environment is to show your employees that you’re grateful for them. Fulfilling people’s desire for recognition and appreciation brings about amazing results. They set out eight gratitude principles:

1. “Solicit and act on input” so you gain from your employees’ knowledge.
2. “Assume positive intent” so you can help people resolve hindrances to high performance.
3. “Walk in their shoes” to develop empathy for your team members.
4. “Look for small wins” to increase engagement and productivity.
5. “Give it now, give it often, don’t be afraid.” Don’t save gratitude for performance reviews.
6. “Tailor to the individual” so your praise is meaningful.
7. “Reinforce core values” by celebrating behaviours that align with corporate values.
8. “Make it peer-to-peer” because people value recognition from their friends and colleagues.

Available from Wordery

This Week's Blog

A Nostalgic Journey #77

Latest Blog

...and finally

...without a little reflection, there is no Insight Added.
 
"Gratitude requires awareness and effort not only to feel it but to express it."
Bonnie D  Parkin
Lead well
Graham and Lesley
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