Traditionally when we discuss the importance of giving thanks in the workplace, we view that in terms of managers showing their appreciation for their team and the work they do.  While the paucity of gratitude flowing in this direction is very much a thing, new research from the University of Central Florida reminds us that it’s just as important for gratitude to flow upwards too.

“Based on theory, we knew feeling appreciated by another person sends a strong signal that you are positively regarded, and feelings of positive regard evoke a sense of vigor–or high energy,” the researchers explain. “This is important because research indicates when people possess higher levels of resources, in this case, energy, they are better able to maintain a positive outlook and engage in positive behaviors at work. We know when supervisors have feelings of depletion–or low energy–negative things happen. For example, when bosses have low energy, they engage in more abusive supervision, creating worse workplaces for their employees,”

Positive energy

The study, which asked managers to complete surveys twice per day for 10 consecutive workdays to understand how appreciated they felt by their team, how energetic they felt, and their sense of satisfaction with life and their work, found that there was a clear link between the wellbeing of the manager and their effectiveness.

“Our study also found that feeling appreciated by employees was positively related, via energy, to supervisors’ psychological well-being. Psychological well-being can buffer individuals from the negative effects of job stress,” the researchers explain.

So on days where managers felt appreciated, they tended to have higher energy levels, which in turn made them more optimistic, happier in their work, and better at supporting their team than on days when they weren’t appreciated.

This phenomenon was especially pronounced among managers who didn’t have a strong sense of internal validation.  The researchers hope that their findings will remind us that gratitude and appreciation are more than just manager to employee, and instead works both ways.

“Anyone who has managed people knows how influential the relationships with subordinates can be,” the researchers conclude. “Taking this upwards perspective may help us better understand supervisors’ lived experiences at work and why they do the things they do.”