Dr. Shashank Teotia, CHRO, Paras Health
In today’s fast-changing world of healthcare, every day brings new challenges, fresh energy, and new opportunities. Amid this pace, valuing the people who make care possible has become essential. Credibility in healthcare ultimately comes from one place, the daily interactions between professionals and their patients. Gratitude at work goes far beyond good manners. It is a strong force that builds satisfaction, belonging, and morale, and in turn drives the success of an organisation.
Globally, hospitals have found that losing an employee can cost up to twice the person’s annual salary, not to mention its effect on patient care and team spirit. That is why creating a culture of gratitude is not just good leadership; it is a smart and necessary strategy.
Gratitude as the Foundation of Workplace Well-being
Hospitals operate in a high-stress and emotionally charged environment. Amid the chaos, the tireless efforts of doctors, nurses, and the entire support staff are deeply valued by patients and their families. However, when the same appreciation is extended within the organisation, even small gestures can go a long way. A simple “thank you” from a colleague or leader can ease stress, reaffirm purpose, and make every individual feel valued.
Research consistently links gratitude to improved mental well-being, teamwork, and job satisfaction. Studies show that about two-thirds of employees value simple gestures like a ‘thank you’ or a personal note more than cash rewards. When healthcare professionals feel appreciated, they become more engaged, empathetic, and motivated, leading to better retention.
Building Retention Through Recognition
Employee retention is also closely linked to mental peace and emotional well-being, both of which can be strengthened through recognition. Studies suggest that well-recognised employees are 45% less likely to leave their organisations. Healthcare is inherently demanding and requires constant resilience, and gratitude, expressed through small yet meaningful gestures, helps build that resilience.
Structured appreciation programs, peer recognition platforms, and acknowledgement from leadership reduce feelings of neglect. When employees are recognised not just for outcomes but also for the values they bring to the team, they begin to see themselves as integral to the organisation’s mission rather than just part of its workforce. This proves that when gratitude becomes part of an institution’s DNA, the focus shifts from burnout to belonging.
Benefits of Small Gestures
In an industry where retaining skilled professionals is as critical as retaining patients, gratitude serves as both a moral compass and a performance driver. A hospital that meaningfully thanks its people becomes a workplace where compassion is not only extended to patients but also lived within teams. Thanking and celebrating are two of the nine highly trusted leadership behaviours that transform the workplace environment, improving performance, engagement, and team relationships while reducing turnover.
Some hospitals have introduced “Employee of the Moment” programs, where any team member can nominate a colleague for a small act of compassion or teamwork witnessed that day. Others use digital dashboards to share positive patient feedback instantly with staff.
Ways of Appreciation
In healthcare, appreciation works best when it is genuine and timely. A simple thank you after a long emergency shift or acknowledging a nurse or technician in front of the team can lift spirits instantly. Leaders can make it a habit to begin meetings by recognising one small act of dedication from the past week.
Hospitals can also create simple traditions like “Gratitude Rounds,” where senior staff visit departments to personally thank team members, or a “Wall of Thanks” where patients and colleagues can post notes of appreciation. Celebrating birthdays, work anniversaries, and milestones such as successful recoveries or exceptional teamwork helps build emotional connection.
Even small steps like providing tea breaks after long hours, offering flexible schedules after difficult shifts, or sending a short personal message of thanks can make a lasting difference. In the end, it’s not about grand gestures but about noticing effort and making people feel that what they do every day truly matters.
A Continuous Commitment
Long hours, critical decisions, and caring for patients during their most vulnerable moments are part of everyday life for healthcare professionals. In such an environment, a culture of gratitude acts as emotional oxygen. As leaders, expressing gratitude must go beyond observance and become part of daily practice.
Recognition in healthcare does not always need grand gestures. Often, it is the small, consistent acknowledgements, such as a thank-you note, a message of appreciation, or a few words of encouragement during rounds, that create the strongest emotional bonds within teams. It is about celebrating contributions as often as measuring results. When people feel seen, they stay. When they feel valued, they grow, and as they grow, the organisation grows with them.
Gratitude in healthcare leadership is not an initiative; it is a mindset. When senior teams consistently express appreciation, it cascades through every level, shaping a culture where empathy is practiced as much within teams as it is with patients.