"Gratitude is an antidote to negative emotions, a neutralizer of envy, hostility, worry, and irritation. It is savoring; it is not taking things for granted; it is present-oriented".
Although everyone is familiar with the term gratitude, as with every expression there are a multitude of ways of interpreting it's meaning, particularly in a professional context. As Dr.lyubomirsky says it can play a major role to counteract and prevent negative emotions, which are generally toxic and rarely beneficial. Gratitude is far more complex than a quick "thank you" in fact if expressed in a superficial or inappropriate way a thank you can actually have a far more negative impact than most would believe. In order to express gratitude, one must have a clear understanding of what the challenge comprised what its completion really entailed and the employee's starting position.