If a friend or neighbour did a favour for you, you probably wouldn’t hesitate to say thank you. But when it comes to workplace relationships, it’s easy to forget to say thank you.
Everyday actions are often regarded as simply ‘doing your duty’ or ‘part of the job description’ and so we don’t say thanks where it’s due. But showing gratitude in the workplace can be a great way to improve office relationships and boost morale between colleagues.
If you are in charge of a team, or even just one or two individuals, make sure you thank them on a daily basis. This might mean remembering to give praise or show gratitude throughout the day or it might be a simple “Thanks for your hard work” at the end of the day. Either way, showing your staff that you appreciate their efforts is a great way to boost productivity and improve retention. In fact, many studies have shown that for most people, feeling appreciated at work is more important than a pay rise.
Perhaps you’re not the boss or team leader but this doesn’t mean you are let off the hook when it comes to saying thank you. If a colleague does a good turn for you, remember to show your appreciation. And if your boss goes out of their way to do something nice for you, always remember to say thanks. People often forget to show gratitude towards their boss but if you’ve been given a bonus or team party, showing your boss that you are grateful is likely to make them more generous in the future.
Remember, if you feel awkward saying “Thank you” in person, you can always pop your thoughts in an email or a handwritten card.