Impact of Positive Gratitude on Business Ethics

French philosopher Jacques Maritain always said in his quote that "Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy." Have you ever wondered what is behind the power of thanking people, especially customers? Do you ever wonder why some people are more thankful than others in the business organizations? One of the reasons why managers and employers fail to do in their daily job duties is being thankful to the ones who provide business to them: customers. In the middle of busyness, managers usually tend to forget to say thank you to their guests or customers. According to Whitmore, "neglecting to say thank you is one of the single biggest problems in the world today. People criticize others something is forgotten, but for many people, it is difficult remembering to offer a kind word when something nice happens." (Whitmore, 2005: page 141) One can see everyday how everyone is influenced from the media and it looks like it is Okay for many people not to say that special word for someone who offers their service to somebody else. Showing appreciation to someone who did something special for us is just one of the highest forms of respect and politeness we can offer them. Employees rarely hear a thank you comment when they deal with an angry customer. The Bible said one should not sin when he or she is angry. The tongue is a powerful tool and it can speak either life or death.

"Sometimes people go out of their way to help others. One may feel thankful when someone does something nice to him or her! Sometimes people's help can really mean a lot! Thankfulness makes the world a brighter place." (Roberts, 2008, pages 18-20) Thankfulness is one of the principles that every businessperson, employees, or managers must possess in order to make the job place a better place. Employees should be thankful that customers go to their organizations and purchase their products. Otherwise, if there is no sale in the store; managers will unfortunately lay off their employees and that is not how it supposes to be in any business. "Meister Eckhart pointed out that if the only prayer one say in his or her life is "thank you," it would be enough." (Emmons, 2007: page 89) Thank you is just a simple word, but it has a deep meaning. It defines our intentions and motives in the business world. This simple word will make a difference in somebody else's life when it is expressed truthfully and honestly.

Emmons (2007) stated, "Gratitude is a human experience that can seem to be either a random occurrence of grace or a chosen attitude to create a better experience of life." (Emmons, 2007: page 94) On the other hand, according to Sabath, "one should send a thank you to someone who takes more than fifteen minutes to do something for you. One should make time for important things. For instance, at the end of a meeting; one should thank the person for taking the time to get together." (Sabath, 1993: page 74) Listening to the guests is crucial in appreciating the client's circumstances. Listening lets the guests recognize one cares about them. As Sabath said, "People buy from people first and companies second. There is always a next time, so express your gratitude and appreciation all the time." (Sabath, 1993: page 76) Gratitude opens new doors to new opportunities in the future. Gratitude is a blessing for the receiver and the giver. It does require both parties to reflect the true meaning of its word because it does create a life memory forever. Gratitude may not come naturally, but if one practices it, it will become naturally and it will change the way people live their life, including managers.

Saying Thank You intensifies one's marketable skills

"To show gratitude, either with a handwritten note or a small gift can lead to better relationships that could eventually turn into opportunities. It is one of the surest ways to make connections, strengthen emotional ties, and forge friendships and business relationships. One of the good attributes to have in business is to take the time to write a thank you note; it demonstrates the receiver that one is a responsible, thoughtful and aware person." (Whitmore, 2005: page 142 & 146) Gratitude is like an aroma and it is the secret to life. Gratitude is what attracts people to do positive and desirable things in the business world. One can promote itself with its thankful attitude and thankful heart. For example, as a job seeker, one will attract their future employer just by being the most sincere and thankful heart during a job interview. Recruiters know that those with positive and enthusiastic traits will make a difference in the organization. Therefore, those with an optimistic, enjoyable spirit will have the best job interview of their time. A cheerful person is like a medicine to the crowd. Having the grateful mind will draw people to wonder and have what that person has. It is similar to being a Christian in the world of darkness, it is like a light who stands out of the crowd.

"One way to market one's marketability is when someone confirms his gratitude to his customer or clients. One is considered as a person who pays close attention to details, which it is a courtesy that will be remembered by the receivers." (Sabath, 1993: page 76) Being honest and open to customers will express gratitude nonverbally. Managers need to be thoughtful and caring for their subordinates and customers, as the shepherd is thoughtful for their sheep. There is nothing more annoying and unclear than ingratitude. People were created by God to give thanks in all occasions. Gratitude begins when one is born until the person gets old. Forgetfulness is not a choice when one deals with people. In order for one individual to have an enhanced relationship, gratitude is one of the factors that reign the connection. Without it, it will not lead to anywhere, no matter if one is in the business setting or in the media setting.
Saying Thank You provide psychological values

Managers need to stop for a second to analyze why is it that good manners are always contagious and influence people all around the world. As the old saying said, "tell me who you hang out with, and I tell you who you are." Our actions influence and drive people to come back to us. People want to be treated in the same way we want to be treated everywhere we go. Customers are very demanding and a lack of respect can keep the customers away. Willingham (2005) said, "People are instinctively motivated to return to us the attitudes, feelings, and behaviors that we give them." This means that people want politeness and not rude people. Managers need to be able to send a good spirited message to their customers and employees. Positive responses and encouraging words are the best two ways to attract customers or employees to the companies.

As Willingham said on her statement, people get motivated when we treat them right in all occasions. One should not act with mediocrity with any human behavior. "Because the strongest motivators of people is the need to be valued, understood and noticed. Customers demand and operate through those instinctive levels on people. Most customers are instinctively motivated to return to us the same value we give them."(Willingham, 2005: pages 84-85) People do perceive psychological values by the way one treats each other back. Managers want business, but customers want gratitude, value and satisfaction on their purchases. For instance, when an employee of a store gives poor customer service, the common good manners, friendliness and the state of making the customer feeling welcome are all gone during the first impression in that particular store. As a result, the guest may feel that he or she visited the wrong store and he or she might have perceived a negative psychological value. Customer satisfaction is what draws the customers to come back to the same stove several times. Willingham (2005), pointed out on her book that those salespeople with positive outcomes and do their best of their abilities to please their customers; are those salespeople that showed the best sales results. How one chooses to treat guests will determine how success one has with people. (Willingham, 2005: page 85) Actions will always speak louder than words and speaking an action of gratitude will stand up in all moments and situations. "Regardless of how one chooses to say thank you, one will be healthier for having done it. One can use a thank you to attract an undecided client who still debating whether to choose xyz company's products." (Whitmore, 2005: page 147) Actions will offer two sides of the coin. Customers will go with the salespeople who got the best positive attitudes.

During the interview of President Bush and Helen Thomas, President Bush thinks that it is not healthy for someone to take himself too seriously. He said, people have to go where no man had gone before. However, one thing that it is clear for him is to have a thankful heart in everything one does and everything one says. During his interview with Helen Thomas, he expressed his gratitude to Mrs. Thomas for inviting her over to have the interview. The way one speaks helps one's gain wide attention. He pointed out that anyone can say a coherent sentence, but something like that topic of gratitude takes one into an entirely new aspect. (Thomas, 2002: page 206-207). President Bush used a common example of gratitude. He was very thankful for the education he received when he went to college. He said that teachers have a huge obligation to make. He wanted the teachers to be trained so they can know how to teach the subjects of Science of Reading. He was thankful that he was raised on the West side of Texas. He had a remarkable educational experience during his childhood and he wanted to pass that same kind of experience to all the children in America. During his interview with Mrs. Thomas, he said he was interacting more with people. "He wants all hear the universal call to like your neighbor just like to be liked yourself. In the end, President Bush ended his interview stating that he was grateful and that he was looking forward to the discussion. He was there to listen to the questions from Mrs. Thomas. He even said that he was kind enough to offer some advice, if he is, he would give it."(Thomas, 2002: page 202-204)

Compensation for doing thankful habit

The American Writer Mark Twain, whom wrote "the Adventures of Tom Sawyer," once said that he could live two months on a good compliment. (Willingham, 2005: page 79) According to Willingham (2005), managers view customers as their creative people who enrich their lives. Customers will feel appreciated when managers or employers say a word of gratitude to them. Valuing customers is not a strategy. "Sincerity cannot be faked. Sincerity must come from the hearts of people as a value. Every act rewards itself, or in other words integrates itself."(Willingham, 2005: page 81) People will sow what they reap. Business managers need to give a positive response in order to receive one back from their own customers. Value customers first and then they will be valued back. This is like a cause and effect topic. "Be specific how one wants certain people to respond back to you is the key to a great compensation of the thankful habit." (Willingham, 2005: page 92)

For instance, when a manager treats their employees with good attitude, the employees will treat the customers with good attitude. However, managers need to take action and they need to communicate their value to their employees, in order to have their employees do the same thing with the customers. Having a grateful heart does create a lasting legacy to those around us. One of the greatest things that one can use in life is the grateful words. Nothing in the business setting can buy the value of a honest lip. The principle of thankful heart in the business world does influence those around us. There will be a number of limited opportunities where we can make a difference in today's society. Again, the most effective way of doing it is saying the grateful words.

Today is the day we have been given to say the grateful words. We cannot leave that for tomorrow. Tomorrow may never come. We cannot take life lightly. If business owners want to have a successful business, they have to practice the philosophy of thankfulness. Managers need to make the moment count. We are called to invest in people's lives and leave an inheritance for the organization where we are a steward from. The impact that this inheritance can bring will overflow the business, as long we are grateful for what we have. There is a season for everything, if we do not take advantage of the seasons, they will be gone. There is nothing else we can do after it is gone. Leaders are to lead by example and using the most valuable source will do it.

According to Shook, "most people know their days are numbered understand the importance of the little sensory details that we often take for granted. They know what it means to wake up each day with a grateful heart."(Shook, 2008: page 103) In addition, Shook added, "Gratitude has the power to change us completely. An attitude of gratitude opens up our hearts to God, enabling us to really see the world the way it is, to experience life to its fullest and enjoy each breath." (Shook, 2008: page 106) Shook message helps us analyze the way how we live our lives. What if one customer come oversea to visit a new restaurant facility in town and this is the only time to come to visit it. Would not you want to leave an excellent first impression at the first time? Would not you provide the best customer service for that guest? Memories are unforgettable. Prices come and go, but experiencing the best service and having a good time cannot be bought with any credit card or debit card. Managers and employees should not wait to answer to longing of the heart. We should stop wasting our precious time. We all have a gift inside of us. We have the ability to thanking those around us.

Shook (2008) also mentioned that "when we think those around us, it only increases the love between us. When we express our gratitude to God, it increases our capacity to experience a full life without regrets. Gratitude improves our capacity to enjoy life. We should enjoy life at our job place, businesses and have that heart of gratitude toward customers and those around us. Have gratitude produces big results. Business leaders will usually see their business grow. Treat customers right and a difference will occurs as those who one is thankful will come back to them for all the helps they offered. We should all begin our day with gratitude and end it with the same gratitude. The power of positive thanking is so strong, it can open doors of opportunities and strengthen relationships. Showing appreciation is desperately lacking in business today. So those of us who create unique ways to express our thanks to clients, colleagues, and coworkers are more likely to see positive results."(Whitmore, 2005: page 156) We need to count the blessings and see the fruitfulness that gratitude can bring to our life personally and economically. Businesses grow because of those grateful actions. Optimistic people will make a difference in today society and it all starts with the thankful heart toward customers and those around us. We have to set our minds and hearts into the right motives in order to get the right results back to our businesses transactions. Watch your business grow!

References:
Emmons, R. A. (2007). Thanks!: how the new science of gratitude can make you happier (N/A). New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Roberts, C. (2008). Learn about values: Thankfulness (N/A). Mankato, MN: The Child World.

Sabath, A. M. (1993). Business Etiquette in Correspondence. In Business Etiquette in Brief (N/A, pp. 73 - 82). Holbrook, MA: Bob Adams.

Shook, K. C. (2008). One Month To Live: Thirty Days To a No-regrets life (1st). Colorado Springs, Colorado: Waterbrook Press.

Thomas, H. (2002). Thanks for the memories Mr. President (N/A). New York, NY: A Lisa Drew Book

Whitmore, J. (2005). The Power of Positive Thanking. In Business Class:etiquette essentials for success at work (1st, pp. 141 - 155). New York, NY: St. Martin's Press.

Willingham, R. (2005). Value Customers. In Integrity Service (N/A, pp. 79-95). New York, NY: Free Press.