Key Point: Learn how to discover and use Nano Tools for accellerating a happiness and gratitude culture. Nano Tools are fast, effective leadership tools that you can learn and start using in less than 15 minutes — with the potential to significantly impact your success as a leader.
I’m going to share Nano Tools relative to the impact of workplace positivity below. The following is from a great Wharton blog on this topic:
The happiness advantage grows from the fact that “positivity,” (the cultivation of happiness or positive emotions), has a direct relationship with the productivity and success of individuals and teams. Positivity includes GRATITUDE and APPRECIATION for others as well as favorable self-regard, and can be fostered by both thoughts purposeful activity, such as exercise and use of signature strengths. Research shows that workplace positivity has many measurable benefits:
• 3x more creativity.
• 31 percent higher productivity.
• 23 percent fewer fatigue symptoms.
• 37 percent greater sales.
• 40 percent more likely to get a promotion.
• 10x more engagement.
The findings help explain why companies like Google, Yahoo!, and Virgin cultivate work environments that help their employees experience positive emotions on a regular basis.
Positivity drives results and gratitude helps drive positivity! More than a decade of empirical studies has proven the profound effect that GRATITUDE has on the way our brains are wired — even if it sounds simplistic or hokey. Actually, in Matthew McConaughey’s inspirational Academy Award acceptance speech for his Best Actor Oscar, he said “it’s a scientific fact that gratitude reciprocates.” Here’s one example:
• In a survey by Shawn Achor in partnership with Training Magazine, 400 HR and learning and development leaders were asked to keep a positive habit (write three “gratitudes” per day, write a positive two-minute email to someone at work, or journal about a positive experience for two minutes). Two weeks later they were tested again. Those who successfully created the positive habit showed a 20 percent decrease in stress, had 12 percent more energy, and were twice as likely to rate themselves as higher on the happiness measure.
Smart companies are putting gratitude into action. A team at American Express encouraged their employees to set a Microsoft Outlook alert for 11:00 a.m. every day to remind themselves to write down three things they are grateful for. At Mattress Firm, VP of Learning and Development Cory Ludens encourages his company to write their gratitude before checking their e-mail in the morning. The COO and President of Nationwide Insurance, Mark Pizzi, often shares his gratitude with his company on Yammer, an internal social platform. Additional research shows that the act of writing gratitude leads to greater levels of optimism and that optimism results in greater levels of sales and productivity.
Character Moves (Nano Tools):
Use Microsoft Outlook and schedule this.
- Take five minutes and list three gratitudes daily. I know this sounds overly simple, but the data behind gratitude journaling is compelling. Follow the practice used in several top companies by setting aside a specific time each day to keep a Gratitude List. You’re training your brain to tune into the positives and opportunities around you.
- Take two seconds to write two words: “Thank You,” daily… Pretty easy and straightforward, right? Then take a minute longer to write down specifically why you’re thanking that person. Now send the thank you out accordingly.
- Do the above for 30 days and see if these gratitude and appreciation nano tools and habit system makes a difference to you and others. What have you got to lose?
Nano gratitude and appreciation in The Triangle,
Lorne
P.S. if you’re looking for more Nano Tool references, check out this comprehensive list.