The Profit of Kindness

Chapter 3~Gratitude

Gratitude improves emotional and physical health, and it can strengthen relationships and communities.

— Robert Emmons, professor of psychology, UC Davis

I once knew a woman (we’ll call her “Trudy”) who managed a team of graphic designers at a Minneapolis-based company. Trudy’s position required her to perform annual reviews with each team member, which she told me she despised doing since she felt she “shouldn’t have to babysit or tell people how to do their jobs. These are adults, after all.” Trudy’s employee Sharice had been miserable at work for close to a year, feeling overworked and underappreciated. Most of the staff felt the same way, and often shared their stories at happy hour, lamenting about Trudy’s inability to ...