Background:

Gratitude is a great positive emotion essential in maintaining and sustaining prosocial behavior in society. Religious, as well as cultural settings, both, encourage the display of gratitude. However, studies suggested that in the corporate sector, gratitude is considered an inappropriate gesture.

Aim:

Explore the positive and dark correlates of gratitude. Inculcate gratitude through training in corporate employees.

Method:

This study was conducted in two phases on 356 participants from the corporate sector, following an experimental research design. In phase 1: a survey was conducted to compare gratitude with both positive attributes (well-being, and forgiveness) and dark triad (Narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and desire for personalized power). Positive attributes have significant forward associations and vice versa with dark triads. Participants from phase 1 (n=66) with low scores on gratitude who extended their consent for phase 2 were randomly assigned into three equal groups.  In phase 2: a cross-sectional experiment was conducted involving two experimenters and one control group. In group A: participants (n=22) were trained to pass non-verbal gestures of gratitude to their colleagues, in their daily routine. In group B (n=22) participants were trained to verbally display gratitude to their colleagues. The control group C (n=22) was observed in their natural settings with no training.

Results:

Two weeks after the training, feedback revealed a higher exposition of gratitude in group B than in group A and the control group C. Overall study shows the existence of inverse relationships between the yin-yang sides of gratitude. Further, daily inculcation of gratitude practice contributes to positivity among the teammates resulting in a healthier workplace environment, optimistic leadership, and motivated teams.

Conclusion: This study has significant implications pertinent to training and development, making a human-friendly environment and positive cultural enrichment in the corporate sector.