So Glad You Are Here: Creating a culture and a life full of gratitude

One of my all-time favorite topics to speak to companies and groups about is creating a company culture. The past few months have been crazy busy with speaking engagements around the Pacific Northwest and I have had the pleasure to talk to groups of all sizes ranging from your neighborhood librarians to c-suite executives to championship sports teams. One thing that each of these groups had in common is their own distinct company (or team) culture. Sometimes people want to over complicate culture...it’s not that hard.

Let’s start with the fundamentals here. I’m going to have you do one TINY little thing (just one) to create a culture of gratitude. The Webster Dictionary states that gratitude is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Isn't that what we all want? We all have this need for being appreciated, for hearing those two magic words...thank you and of course kindness.

You with me? Let’s do this.

I had the pleasure of watching Nick Saban (Bamas head coach) speak last year and he shared a simple story of one of the highest performing teams around...the Blue Angels. The Blue Angels do one simple thing that epitomizes a culture of gratitude. Every morning when the Blue Angels meet, they start their meeting by turning to the guy on their left and the guy to their right and say "so glad you are here". The Blue Angels get it. They are not taking this (or any) ride for granted. They are not the Blue Angels without their teammates. 

Sometimes we take for granted those around us. We forget what it feels like to have someone there every day, to be surrounded by others on your team, company, organization, neighborhood or even your family.

One simple phrase, “so glad you are here”...is life changing.  It’s life-changing when you are appreciative of the people in your life.

Now I challenge you to try this for just one day. The next time you walk into work, sit down for another meeting, or pick-up your kids from school - do me a favor and please tell them “I am so glad you are here”.  

Start with a culture of gratitude. Change your world.  

"The miracle of gratitude is that it shifts your perception to such an extent that it changes the world you see." - Dr. Robert Holden

So glad YOU are here.

Ronda

ps: We are so glad you are here we wanted to share our free November gratitude download with you.

If you want more on all things related to leadership my new book,  You Go First will be available in December and we are holding a super special leadership workshop on December 6th. Would love to have you join us!