HERBISM #48 – Great Leaders Have an Attitude of Gratitude

I have found that people with an attitude of gratitude maintain greater positivity, have greater energy, are less stressed, recover from negative events quicker, think clearer, communicate better, are able to learn and retain more, etc…all attributes of great leaders.

Gratitude has a way of shaping perspective – the lens through which we see the world, events, other people, and ourselves – to provide a more positive outlook. Stephen Covey captures the essence of this when he talks about the abundance mentality in his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

Gratitude is not just a good idea, but scientific studies have found that gratitude is associated with:

Greater happiness
More optimism and positive emotions
New and lasting relationships
Better health
More progress toward personal goals
Fewer aches and pains
More alertness and determination
Increased generosity and empathy
Better sleep
Improved self-esteem

Do you want to be a more effective leader, and gain the advantage of the scientific benefits listed above? The key is increasing your level of gratitude. One way to do so is by utilizing a gratitude journal.

Try this exercise for the next 30 days and see firsthand how an attitude of gratitude can transform your life and the way you lead:

Place a notebook on your bedside table (this will become your gratitude journal)
Every morning before you get out of bed write five [new] things that you are grateful for.

It’s that simple. Give it a try and see what happens!