Cosmopolitan ^ DECEMBER 2016 ^107
w ords
: jennifer
savin
| p
hotography
: studio
33
* as based on research by the university of california, la.* * conducted by the university of california, berkeleyThe most powerful words you can say at work? No, it’s not “I have tequila under my desk—and I’m
willing to share”, but a simple “thank you”. “Hearing appreciative comments about ourselves triggers
activation in regions of our brains associated with feeling safe and strong*,” says Dacher Keltner, a
psychology professor at the University of California, Berkley. But if saying thanks to your boss feels
a little forced, a non-verbal expression of gratitude, such as a gentle touch on the arm or a head nod,
had the same effect. “Our research also found that basketball teams who encourage and appreciate one
another with a friendly, supportive touch win more games**,” explains Keltner. The exception to this:
Touching the office junior or going in for a ‘light arm stroke’ if you find yourself alone with a colleague
in the stationary cupboard—“Err, hello...HR?”Zero to hero
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