Introducing Gravitude
Several years ago I had a conversation with some former colleagues. As we fondly recounted the years that we spent within the ITC Holding Company family of companies, a common theme emerged. We might have used slightly different words, but the theme revolved around how grateful we were for the experiences we shared. That made me think about a quote from a mentor of mine. In 2008, I was blessed to be a part of Radical Mentoring with some amazing men and Regi Campbell as our leader.
In one month, Regi taught us about the concept of gratitude saying, “Gratitude is the emotion that will sustain unselfish behavior over the longest period of time.” While Regi was looking at this from the perspective of our relationship with our Heavenly Father, I started to wonder if there was the opportunity to look at gratitude as a binding force within organizations. At the time, that seemed to be exactly what my friends and I were discussing.
I decided to call Cam Lanier III (“Mr. Cam” to me since I was a little boy). Mr. Cam was the Chairman and CEO of ITC Holding Company, a company whose roots started in 1896 with ITC Phone Company. Over the years and decades that followed, ITC has been responsible for the success of growing many companies to be leaders in their industry. Many of these, ITC invested in directly. Many others were fortunate to consider ITC a strategic partner, even if only for mentorship and friendship.
When I asked Mr. Cam why so many people felt grateful for their time at so many different ITC companies, he thought for a moment and his response took me aback…
“Did you ever NOT feel loved at work?”
After a moment to think, I realized that at every turn, he had always felt loved at work. No, not the kind of love depicted on television or in the movies, but a “I Corinthians 13 kind of love” founded on patience, kindness, shared glory, trust, truth, hope, and perseverance. What a wonderful–but unfortunately rare–experience that had been!
All too often, companies cut corners and implement practices that make work feel impersonal, meaningless, and even predatory. In response (and rightfully so), most employees feel very little loyalty to any one organization and will leave their current job for another in a heartbeat if even the perception of a better opportunity comes along.
This actualization led me to write Gravitude, in which I leverage my extensive experiences in the business world as well as conversations with mentors and thought leaders such as Mr. Cam to propose a healthier alternative for our working world. By cultivating a culture of care and gratitude for their employees, business leaders can better sustain and grow their organization for the long haul. Through the philosophy of fostering gratitude, individuals at every level of a company can benefit both in terms of overall happiness and satisfaction.
But what exactly is “Gravitude,” and why is it essential for the modern workplace?
Gravitude isn't just about feeling grateful; it is an action and a persistent mindset. In the book, my co-author, Michael Ashley, and I consider similarities between the forces of gravity and Gravitude. “The Principle of Gravitude” states that just as the mass of two objects is directly relational to the force of gravity between them, the more of the following pillars explored in the book that exist with your organization, the greater Gravitude’s force.
Unlike gravity, the force of Gravitude grows stronger over time. To put it another way, it’s the attitude of Gravitude that creates a bonding force amongst organizations. The more grateful you feel toward those around you, the more inclined you are to have their backs and likewise.
Gravitude goes beyond mere appreciation to fostering genuine connections and support within the workplace. In short, when Gravitude is cultivated at your company, the better your work culture becomes. The better your work culture becomes, the better your company operates on the whole, improving everything from its reputation to its bottom line.
If you are hoping to cultivate a more fulfilling and effective work environment, Gravitude may be your way forward. Whether you're a CEO trying to enact organizational change or a mid-level manager looking to make a difference in your team, Gravitude can serve as your guiding light. Not only does it provide a unique perspective on work culture, it offers actionable solutions to common challenges like employee retention and morale. Each pillar explored also features interviews with influential business leaders in different industries, adding depth and diversity to its insights.
If you’ve been feeling discouraged by your own company culture, Gravitude is for you. My hope is that my realistic (and hopefully uplifting) approach reminds each of us that it’s never too late to turn things around and cultivate a better work environment, where everyone is healthier and happier.
~
Are you ready to embrace the power of Gravitude and unlock the full potential of your workplace? Don’t hesitate to pick up a copy of Mark Bowling’s transformative book. Visit the Gravitude webpage today to buy the book and start your journey towards a happier, more successful workplace.
If your organizational culture is an example of Gravitude in action, please contact me. I would like to feature your story in future blog posts.
Gravitude can be found wherever books are sold! My favorites are:
Barnes & Noble (still love to support the brick and mortar)
Click here to join the Gravitude mailing list.