3 Secret Powers of Gratitude that Make you a Superhero Leader
I’m not a fan of superstar leaders because leadership is about others. But grateful leaders are superheroes.
3 secret powers of gratitude
#1. Secret power of guidance:
Use gratitude to guide decisions.
Ask yourself, “Can I publicly express gratitude for the decisions I’m planning and the actions I’m taking?”
If you can publicly express gratitude to your team, customers, and leaders for your decisions and actions, it’s likely you’re doing a good thing.
You can’t say, “I’m thankful I broke your window with a baseball bat,” to the person who owns the window, for example.
Do what you can be thankful for.
Project: Imagine public expressions of gratitude to stakeholders based on current or past plans and decisions.
#2. Secret power of presence:
Gratitude brings you into the present even when reflecting on the past.
Victor Frankl found reasons for gratitude in Nazi concentration camps. Things might be bad in your organization but I bet they were worse in concentration camps.
Are things so miserable that it’s impossible to express gratitude in this moment?
“If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get.” Frank A. Clark
Project: Take out pen and paper and write down one thing you are grateful for right now.
#3. Secret power of energy:
The law of consequences says you get what you give. Output corresponds to input in magnitude and kind.
Express gratitude with exuberance.
Enthusiasm is contagious. Restraint in you becomes constraint in others. Guarded leaders have self-protective teams, for example.
Jubilant gratitude ignites vitality and engagement. Relentless fault-finding produces anxiety and depression.
Define shared behaviors and go nuts when you catch people doing them.
Project: Go on a 15-minute walk around the ‘shop’. Make yourself a little uncomfortable with the jubilance of your gratitude.
What are some powers of gratitude you have noticed?
Dan, I hear you, just look at the Sports stars for example that thinks the world revolves around them, if they don’t get their way they carry on like kids, for they want all the gratitude for getting paid to do their job, a picture we see way to often. I don’t begrudge them their moment in the spotlights but remember the guys in the trenches get them the position to be open for their glory dance. This equates to the actual lives for all those who work their tails off only to have some one else grab the glory.
Thanks Tim. Any great success stands on the shoulders of others. 🙂
Hi Dan,
Thanks for the ongoing series about the power and effect of gratitude. Point #3 really strikes me this morning. Jubilant gratitude ignites vitality and engagement. Knowing the team is with you can help a person be their bravest and most creative. Cheers !
Thanks Cate. It’s so true. Courage is about connection. It’s doubly difficult to be courageous when you’re on your own. But a little courage in the person beside you fuels your own courage. 🙂
You hooked me with your firs line… “I’m not a fan of superstar leaders because leadership is about others. But grateful leaders are superheroes.”
And I deeply accept you in that relentless fault finding produces negative feelings…
Thanks Vivek. I’m delighted you stopped in to leave your first comment. I wish you well and hope you return soon. 🙂
Dan, I have appreciated your recent posts on gratitude as you have motivated me to begin a Gratitude Journal where I can spend a few moments each day reflecting on what and who I am grateful for. The purpose of this journal is not just to record my thoughts of gratitude, rather it is way from me to take my thoughts and put them into action. My intention is that the gratitude recorded will become the script for my expression of gratitude to the people and things that I am grateful for. My hope is that this practice helps me to be a more present, connected leader in a time when we all are subject to varying degrees of isolation. Thank you for your encouragement!
Thanks James. If research is right, the benefits of a gratitude journal are remarkable. I wish you well.
I am keeping a gratitude journal as well. It’s already yielded surprising benefits.
Points #2 are right on and align with my current job. Things can always be worse! Some people are far worse off than we are. The point about fault finding and negativity and depression are spot on as well.
Thanks Sara and I wish you well in your studies.
The energy put-off by a leader is typically emulated by the team and those in the same room. Don’t like the attitude within your organization? I take a look in the mirror! It’s very telling when the tone of a meeting is set early with positivity, energy and enthusiasm. Starting a meeting or project on a positive note- calling out the good and even using humor can set the tone for a much better outcome (for me at least)! When my team gets frustrated, negative or cynical, I have to look at my own attitude. I usually find opportunity for the way I’m carrying myself.