Employee Engagement and Gratitude Overlap: How to Leverage It

Are Employee Engagement and Gratitude Correlated?
Gratitude has been gaining considerable attention in recent years. Leading publications such as The New York Times, Scientific American, and Time highlight how practicing gratitude can improve happiness, mental resilience, and even physical health. Prominent voices like Oprah Winfrey have long advocated cultivating an “attitude of gratitude” as a cornerstone of personal well-being.

What’s New About Gratitude in the Workplace
What sets recent research apart is the growing evidence linking gratitude directly to employee engagement and workplace performance. Studies by Emmons, McCullough, and Algoe increasingly show that organizations where gratitude is actively practiced — through recognition, appreciation, and positive feedback — see measurable improvements in:

• Engagement
• Collaboration
• Overall performance

Gratitude is more than a feel-good concept; it’s becoming recognized as a strategic driver of organizational effectiveness.

Three Ways Employee Engagement and Gratitude Overlap
Here are the three major ways the practice of thankfulness and appreciation improves the work environment and increases employee engagement:

1. Employee Gratitude Inspires Greater Contribution
   Grateful employees tend to go above and beyond for their colleagues. They exhibit behaviors of organizational citizenship — being cooperative, empathetic, supportive, and willing to volunteer when needed. They are the quintessential team players, encouraging their teammates and recognizing their achievements, which strengthens both morale and collaboration.

   Gratitude also fuels creativity. Employees who practice gratitude are more flexible, curious, and open to learning. They embrace experimentation and are eager to explore new ideas — traits that are essential for organizations seeking innovative thinkers and adaptive problem-solvers. In essence, gratitude doesn’t just improve workplace culture; it actively drives behaviors that enhance organizational performance.

2. Employee Gratitude Promotes Better Sleep and Performance
   Sleep deprivation is a costly problem for organizations. Research from the RAND Corporation estimates that U.S. companies lose over $400 billion annually in productivity due to insufficient sleep. Poor sleep also negatively impacts product quality, job satisfaction, workplace relationships, and employee safety.

   So where does gratitude fit in? Studies show that people who practice gratitude fall asleep more quickly, sleep longer, and experience higher-quality rest. This is because focusing on positive experiences throughout the day reduces stress and rumination, creating a calmer mindset at bedtime. For employees, better sleep translates directly into improved focus, stronger professional relationships, and higher overall performance.

3. Employee Gratitude Reduces Job Dissatisfaction
   Some employees are chronically dissatisfied, believing they deserve more than others and expressing frustration at colleagues or organizational processes. This dissatisfaction often manifests in negative workplace politics and behaviors, including back-channeling, complaining, and blaming, which erode team cohesion and morale.

   Grateful employees, by contrast, bring optimism and positivity to their work. They are approachable, cooperative, and far less likely to become irritated or resentful. Rather than dwelling on entitlement or shortcomings, they focus on the value of their contributions and appreciate the opportunities they have. This mindset not only reduces job dissatisfaction but also fosters a healthier, more collaborative workplace culture

The Bottom Line
Research is increasingly clear: gratitude delivers measurable benefits in both personal well-being and professional performance. Employees who practice gratitude are more engaged, collaborative, creative, and resilient. The question for leaders is no longer whether gratitude matters — but whether it is intentionally woven into your employee engagement strategy.

To learn more about proven activities to improve employee engagement, download The Top 10 Most Powerful Ways to Boost Employee Engagement