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V O L . X X X I N O. X I I J U N E 2 , 2 0 2 5 22 H OW TO B Y K Y M DA K I N - N E A L , VO I C E I N T O L E A R N I N G B Y K Y M DA K I N - N E A L , VO I C E I N T O L E A R N I N G M y client Lesley looks close to tears. She works in a large accounting firm in another state, and though we are separated geographically, her stress is coming through loud and clear. For those of us who do contract coaching work for businesses, it's hard to miss the increased levels of stress in working culture. Whether as a result of an uncertain business climate, radical political policy change or simply the usual increased activity in a normal business cycle, anxiety has gotten ampli- fied, and clients are feeling the strain. I ask Lesley if I can offer a sugges- tion, and I take a deep breath because I'm about to propose something strongly counter-intuitive. At her Monday morning team meeting, I invite her to begin the session with a short ritual in gratitude. She looks at me like I've lost my mind, but here's why. 1. Reduction in stress A study by the University of California- Berkeley found that gratitude prac- tices significantly reduce cortisol levels. Participants practicing gratitude showed a 23% reduction in stress hormones, resulting in decreased anxiety and improved emotional resilience. 2. Cognitive reframing Research in the Journal of Positive Psychology reveals that gratitude jour- naling helps employees reframe chal- lenges more constructively. After just three weeks, participants demonstrated a 30% increase in their ability to man- age workplace challenges. 3. Workplace connection Harvard Business Review research highlights gratitude's role in building supportive workplace networks. Studies found that employees who regularly express and receive gratitude report 40% lower burnout rates, improved team cohesion and more effective collabora- tive relationships. I shared with Lesley that I use gratitude practice as a warm-up stress reducer prior to public speaking, for the simple reason that our brains cannot hold both gratitude and toxic stress at the same time. Here are some other ideas for the workplace: Personalized recognition moments: Implement specific, personalized recog- nition that goes beyond generic praise. During team meetings, acknowledge individual contributions with detailed, impact-focused comments. Instead of "Great job," try specific praise like, "Sarah's market research helped us secure the Johnson account, boosting our quarterly revenue." Gratitude journaling and sharing: Introduce a weekly 5- to 10-minute journaling initiative where team mem- bers write three things they're grateful for professionally. Encourage volun- tary sharing during check-ins to shift focus from challenges to appreciation, improving team morale and creating a supportive environment. Thank you notes: Craft handwritten or digital thank you notes that are specific and heartfelt, highlighting unique contributions. For example: "Your creativity in resolving the cli- ent's technical issue saved the project and showcased your exceptional problem-solving skills." Feedback and growth: Transform performance reviews into gratitude- centered conversations. Begin by genuinely appreciating the employee's efforts and strengths before discuss- ing improvement areas. is approach creates a supportive atmosphere where employees feel valued and are more receptive to feedback. Example: "I'm grateful for your initiative in streamlin- ing our project management process, and I'd like to discuss how we can fur- ther develop these strengths." As with any new routine, Lesley will encounter negative reactions and pushback. But I encouraged her to try it for three of the weekly meetings, and to note any changes in atti- tude on her team at the end of three weeks. I also offered to conduct the first session for her team at half my hourly rate just to get things started. Oftentimes, new strategies are more effective when an unfamiliar person introduces them. Intentional gratitude in the work- place is not about forced positivity, but about creating genuine connections, recognizing individual contributions and fostering a supportive, appreciative work culture. I feel confident that these strate- gies can improve employee engagement, motivation and overall workplace satis- faction, even in a busy accounting firm at the height of their season. K y m D a k i n - N e a l i s director of Voice Into Learning L LC . S h e c a n b e r e a c h e d a t k d a k i n 5 6 @ g m a i l . c o m . Create a grateful workplace culture View our Online ShoreMaster Catalog at: HAMMONDLUMBER.COM/SHOREMASTER LIMITLESS CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS FREE DELIVERY WITHIN STOREWIDE DELIVERY AREA 22 LOCATIONS ACROSS MAINE & NEW HAMPSHIRE DISCOVER THE SHOREMASTER DIFFERENCE ...we have free business advising, workshops, and flexible financing to help you succeed. YOU HAVE BIG IDEAS... ceimaine.org Ironwood Farm Albion, ME Ironwood Farm Albion, ME

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