As fall quickly leads into the holiday season, giving thanks and being grateful become common language on greeting cards and Hallmark commercials. I often hear about gratitude when listening to podcasts about mindfulness. However, I do not hear enough about gratitude in professional practice. Maybe you do shout outs at the end of staff meetings. Maybe you pass around an object of affection (or embarrassment) to a team member of the month. Do you do these things out of habit or intent? Do people expect them, rather than truly appreciate them?
Given many circumstances of our current world, what could sincere, genuine, and intentional gratitude mean to a campus colleague, your team member . . . or even, to you?
What might gratitude look like in professional practice? It does not have to cost money or take a great deal of time. We work in higher education, we often do not have much of either to spare. I have compiled a list of things that I have experienced or crowd sourced. The most important thing is to consider how the recipient of your gratitude will appreciate your gratitude.
- Write a quick email to a colleague to let them know you are thinking of them or that they did a great job!
- Send a handwritten note with a quote that makes you think of someone.
- Make a point to write one thank you note a week as part of your regular professional practice.
- Shout out your colleague on social media and tag them, their department, or program when they’ve done a great job!
- Forward a positive email to their supervisor or write a positive email directly to their supervisor and CC the staff member.
- Make a point to be present for colleagues or members of your team, be at their events, in person or virtually.
- If someone covers for you, volunteer to cover for them, don’t wait to be asked.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not encourage you to consider how you could show your gratitude through recognition. Many associations, OCPA included, facilitate annual award processes to recognize the amazing efforts of our colleagues and offices. I know there are many worthy recipients among us, but they just need one person to be the person to recognize their good work and show their gratitude through nominations. I would challenge you throughout your career, to every year find one person, program, or office to nominate for an association award, OCPA or others. Many recognitions go unawarded because nominations are never received. Let us always know that we can be the reason that someone receives the recognition they deserve because we exemplify the professional practice of gratitude.
**Continue the conversation online – share your ideas of professional practices of gratitude using #OCPAchat #gratitude
Colette M. Masterson, Ph.D.
Past President, OCPA
Director, Center for Student Involvement
Otterbein University
@ColetteMae