Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so it's a good time to think about gratitude. Gratitude is a powerful resilience-building tool in both our personal and work lives.

Research consistently shows that workplace appreciation improves employee engagement and boosts performance. Gratitude also promotes stronger social connections between employees, one of the 7Cs of team resilience.

Despite the benefits gratitude brings to the workplace, a recent survey by Peldon Rose found that less than half (45 percent) of employees feel appreciated at work.

Here are some ways you can increase gratitude in your workplace:

Carve Out the Time

When asked why they don't express appreciation to their work colleagues, people often tell me that they are so busy they forget. They have good intentions but don't follow through.

If you struggle to find the time to express your gratitude to colleagues, build it into your routine. Schedule ten minutes on your calendar every day to write thank-you notes. Add a five-minute agenda item in weekly staff meetings to thank employees to whom you are grateful. Schedule a weekly coffee with colleagues to thank them for the work they do.

Face Your Fears

Some leaders are worried that showing appreciation will communicate that they are weak and too emotional. Others fear that employees will start to feel entitled and expect recognition for routine work. If you have these fears, it's essential to acknowledge them and then remind yourself that research shows otherwise. Employees value leaders who express appreciation and gratitude, and it rarely undermines performance. Have the courage to act despite your fears.

Be Authentic

Gratitude can have a negative impact if it is not authentic. Don't pretend, lie, or invent reasons to express gratitude. If you offer gratitude for purely cynical or instrumental reasons, it's unlikely to work. Small tokens of appreciation may feel artificial and forced if there's no substance behind them. To be authentic when you express gratitude, explain what the person did and its positive impact on you.

Adapt to Each Employee

Gratitude is not one size fits all. Don't assume that everyone responds well to public praise or a thank you card. Get to know your colleagues and adapt to their needs and preferences. Consultant Stephanie Pollack compiled dozens of different gratitude practices to try at work, from surprise care packages to appreciation badges to a celebration calendar.

Create a Gratitude Wall

Gratitude walls have become very popular because they encourage employees to acknowledge their gratitude for each other publicly. Whether it's a quick thanks to a colleague for bringing in baked goods or a new employee feeling welcomed by others, the idea is to complement each other's contributions and acts of kindness and generosity. This YouTube video describes how to create a virtual gratitude wall for those working from home.

How do you encourage gratitude at your workplace?

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