Why Are Some Employees So Unhappy?

The alternative question should be ‘What makes employees genuinely happy in the workplace?’ — the answer lies in how people frame their experiences: focusing on gains or losses. 

When a team is consistently grateful for what they have — such as incentives, growth opportunities, and support — they tend to be happier. In contrast, employees caught in an entitlement mindset, always focusing on what they don’t have, breeds resentment. 

We’ve all encountered the workplace culture that fosters entitlement. Employees begin to expect rewards as a ‘given’, feeling they’re owed more for simply doing their job. This mindset leads to constant dissatisfaction, no matter what is offered, as nothing feels like enough. Business owners get bitter, negative culture is fueled and the toxic cycle begins.  

After being listed this year in ‘The Australian Best Places To Work 2024’, I can proudly say that the key to lasting employee happiness isn’t giving more perks, but instead, nurturing gratitude.

The Entitlement Trap vs. Gratitude

In previous discussions on this platform, I’ve identified that the toxic entitlement mentality erodes morale. It fosters behaviors where individuals constantly focus on the “loss” of not having more. On the flip side, gratitude shifts the focus to the “gain” — what employees already have and appreciate. 

Studies in neuroscience confirm that gratitude and entitlement cannot coexist in the brain at the same time. Gratitude activates positive neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, directly leading to increased feelings of happiness and contentment and less emotions of anxiety, anger or fear.

The effect of this is profound. 

Employees who feel gratitude for the work they’re given and the environment they’re in show greater loyalty, engagement, and overall happiness. It’s up to leadership to nurture this mindset.

Why Leaders Must Lead the Gratitude Charge

Leadership isn’t just about management and strategy; it’s about setting the tone for the workplace. 

As a business owner, you have the power to foster a gratitude-centric environment, creating a ripple effect through your organisation. When leaders actively model gratitude — acknowledging and appreciating their team’s contributions — the impact is contagious. Over time, this can shift the culture from one of expectation to one of appreciation.

Win – Win 

Gratitude can be as simple as taking a moment to genuinely thank a team member for their work, but it must be consistent to break the toxic entitlement cycle. 

Consistency reflects authenticity

Authenticity breads trust

Trust nurtures gratitude

Gratitude delivers happiness

Here are four practical ways we bring gratitude to Western Region Health that might help your workplace cultivate a happier team, without it feeling forced or cheesy.

4 Ways to Encourage Gratitude in the Workplace

1. Gratitude Reflections
 

Encourage your team to talk about things they appreciate at work — whether it be part of scheduled meetings or prompted in the staff room, get them sharing more of the things they love. This could be a meaningful client experience, work friendships, upcoming social event, or personal win for the week. Regularly reflecting on positive moments helps to build a habit of gratitude, which enhances overall happiness and wellbeing.

2. Peer-to-Peer Acknowledgment
 

Set up a system where team members can recognise and appreciate one another. This could be a shout-out in team meetings, MVP of the month, celebrating a Google review or a private message exchange — fostering peer gratitude helps build a cohesive and supportive team culture.

3. Thank-You Notes
 

Handwritten thank-you notes or baked goods may seem old-fashioned, but they have a personal touch that makes people feel genuinely valued. It’s one thing our amazing admin team do best. Our manager often leaves a post-it note followed by a heartfelt message to say ‘I appreciate you’, and nothing makes people feel more warm and fuzzy than the smell of warm muffins. 

4. Lead by Example
 

As a leader, you need to embody gratitude. When you thank employees for their hard work, recognise their efforts, and demonstrate that you value them, you’re modeling the behavior you want to see. A one-off pizza night is not an incentive bonus. Gratitude must start from the top to truly take root in an organisation. People must feel seen. I recently gifted our entire team some new Ugg Boots — a reflection of the comfort they bring me everyday that they can also enjoy every night. I’m not virtue signaling in sharing this example, merely suggesting that often the smallest acts of kindness deliver the biggest impact. 

It’s not happiness that leads to gratitude; it’s gratitude that leads to happiness. 

As a business owner, it’s your job to nurture this mindset in your workplace. The fish rots from the head down. If your team aren’t happy, the first place you need to look is within, and then to the actions of your leadership team. 

When employees shift from focusing on what they lack to appreciating what they have, entitlement fades, and happiness grows. In the pursuit of a positive workplace, shifting this mindset is crucial. 

Happiness doesn’t come from having everything, but from appreciating what’s already there. Business owners who lead with gratitude create a work culture that thrives, making employees feel valued, engaged, and motivated. 

The bottom line? 

A grateful team is a happy team.

Bringing you my best, 

Jade. xx

PS. If you’re looking to value your team and foster more gratitude, start by understanding what motivates them. Submit and share the free survey link or check out our GrowthRx Key Motivators Tool via the links below.

Start your free survey and get your results immediately. https://www.growthrxtools.com/?c=65765

Start your free business trial today and capture your team results in one place.  www.keymotivators.com