Making Every Employee Feel Valued: The Link Between Gratitude and Employee Mattering

Have you ever wondered why some teams are bursting with energy and innovation, effortlessly achieving their goals, while others struggle to find their rhythm? The secret often lies not in skills or talent but in feeling valued. Imagine being an employee who knows your contributions are not only recognized but deeply appreciated. In such an environment, work transforms from a mere duty into an opportunity to make a meaningful difference. This is the essence of ‘mattering’ in the workplace.

Sociologist Morris Rosenberg, in her groundbreaking research, defined “mattering” as the feeling that others depend on us, take an interest in us, care about our well-being, and acknowledge our value. It’s not just about making someone happy in the moment; it’s about imbuing them with a sense of worth and significance. This sense of mattering fosters deeper connections at work, leading to happier and more thriving employees.

Feeling valued in an organization transcends mere recognition for hard work. It’s about instilling a belief in each employee that they are an indispensable part of the bigger picture. How can we embed this vital sense of mattering across the board? You might be surprised to find that the answer lies in something as simple yet profound as gratitude. We’re not just talking about any gratitude, but a kind that’s tangible, a kind that makes every team member realize they’re more than just gears in a machine – they’re the heartbeat of the organization. 

Gratitude as a Tool for Enhancing Employee Mattering

What does it mean to matter in the workplace? We’re not talking about being the loudest voice in meetings or having your name plastered on every project. No, we’re digging deeper. To truly matter means to feel seen, appreciated, and valued for who you are and what you contribute.

When employees feel valued, they engage more deeply, perform better, and are likelier to stay with the organization. This feeling of mattering can transform an employee’s experience at work, leading to greater satisfaction and productivity. Indeed, research from Oxford University shows that happy workers are 13% more productive.

Creating an environment where every employee feels appreciated requires personalized acknowledgments and opportunities for growth. Leadership plays a critical role in fostering such a culture.

Counteracting Superficial Gestures

In many workplaces, gestures of appreciation can sometimes feel as insincere as a generic birthday message from a bank. Managers may resort to impersonal methods like mass thank-you emails or generic ‘Employee of the Month’ awards, which can come across as hollow and fail to make employees feel truly valued. To counteract this, recognition needs to be heartfelt and personal. It should feel like a warm, personal acknowledgment rather than an automated response. This means being specific about what an employee did and why it matters. Authentic recognition resonates deeper, making appreciation both meaningful and impactful.

Ten Innovative Ways for Leaders to Show Gratitude and Reinforce the Sense of Mattering

1. Personalized Appreciation Videos: In the age of digital communication, a personalized video message can have a significant impact. Leaders can create short, personalized appreciation videos for each team member, highlighting specific contributions and their unique value to the team. These videos can be shared privately or during team meetings for public recognition.
2. ‘Day in the Life’ Swap: A unique way to demonstrate appreciation is by having leaders swap roles with employees for a day. This not only shows respect for the work they do but also provides leaders with a firsthand understanding of the challenges their team faces.
3. Team Impact Projects: Allow teams to select a community service project or a cause they care about and sponsor their involvement. This approach shows gratitude by supporting something meaningful to the team beyond the workplace.
4. Surprise ‘Wellness Days’ Off: Unexpectedly give employees a day off as a token of appreciation for their hard work. Announce it as a surprise to make it more impactful, showing that you value their work-life balance.
5. Customized Reward System: Develop a reward system where employees can earn points for their achievements and redeem them for unique experiences, like a lunch with the CEO, a featured spot in the company newsletter, or a premium parking spot for a month.
6. Gratitude Wall: Create a physical or virtual ‘Gratitude Wall’ where team members can post notes of appreciation for their colleagues. Regularly update it to keep the momentum of appreciation going.
7. Shadow Board: Form a ‘Shadow Board’ of employees who work alongside the executive team for a period. This gives them a voice in decision-making and shows that their insights are valued at the highest level.
8. Skill-Sharing Sessions: Encourage employees to lead informal sessions to teach a skill or share knowledge on a topic they are passionate about. This demonstrates respect for their expertise and interests outside of their regular job responsibilities.
9. ‘Behind the Scenes’ Acknowledgements: Recognize the often unseen work that keeps things running smoothly. Spotlight these contributions in team meetings or company-wide communications to show that every role, no matter how behind the scenes, is vital.
10. Guest Speaker Events: Arrange for speakers that employees are fans of, like authors, industry leaders, or even entertainers, to give talks or workshops. This not only is a treat but also shows that you are attentive to their interests.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Gratitude and Mattering Initiatives in the Workplace

As leaders implement gratitude and mattering strategies, it becomes essential to measure their impact effectively. This assessment helps in understanding the return on investment of such initiatives and in making data-driven decisions for future improvements. Here’s how employers can measure the impact:

• Employee Feedback Surveys: Regular and pulse surveys can assess employee feelings about gratitude and mattering initiatives.
• Performance Metrics: Monitor productivity and retention rates to gauge the impact of these initiatives.
• Employee Well-being and Engagement: Track engagement scores and conduct well-being assessments.
• Qualitative Feedback and Interviews: Gather in-depth feedback through focus groups and interviews.
• Success Stories and Case Studies: Share stories and analyze best practices from other organizations.
• Leadership Engagement and Feedback: Assess leadership commitment and their role in modeling gratitude behaviors.
• Cultural Integration Metrics: Measure how gratitude and mattering are integrated into the company culture.
• ROI Analysis: Perform cost-benefit analyses to understand the financial return on these initiatives.

In a world where a staggering 65% of workers feel unrecognized, the urgency to shift this narrative couldn’t be clearer. Authentic recognition isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a fundamental necessity in the modern workplace.  

The benefits of a gratitude-rich culture are profound. When employees feel valued, morale soars. This positive shift in team dynamics naturally leads to enhanced organizational success. A workplace infused with genuine gratitude transforms into more than just a place of employment; it becomes a thriving community where each member feels an integral part of a greater purpose.

John R. Miles is a leading expert on intentional behavior change, personal transformation and mastery. He is author of “Passion Struck: Twelve Powerful Principles to Unlock Your Purpose and Ignite Your Most Intentional Life,” and host of the #1 Alternative Health podcast of the same name, with over 20M downloads and counting.