Think Leadership Ideas

Mahalo, Merci, Xie Xie, and Thanks!



This 7 Ideas Coach session discusses ways to show appreciation and say thank you to the people in your organization that make a difference.

Session notes:

Why it is important for leaders to show appreciation
  1. By definition, we are only leaders when we have followers.
  2. A leader’s accomplishments are dependent on contributions of others.
  3. People contribute their best when they do so voluntarily.
  4. If high performance is valued, it’s incumbent on leaders to acknowledge the voluntary contribution that other people make - in short, show appreciation.
  5. A thank-you acknowledgement needs to be personal - it’s a communication between people.
  6. This acknowledgement needs to be intentional - something that requires attention.
  7. Saying thanks is a deposit in a “relational bank account” - an account that is important to keep healthy, especially in times of change and increased concern.

Seven ways to show appreciation:
  1. Say it - call or see the person and voice your appreciation.
  2. Write it - email is better than nothing, but the hand-written thank you note stands out.
  3. Make it public - that certificate of appreciation or employee of the month award announces your appreciation to the world.
  4. Celebrate - combine the former with food and make appreciation an event.
  5. Let someone else know - not everyone likes parties or public recognition - a letter to the boss, to the personnel file, letter to the editor to document a good deed.
  6. Gift - as a symbol of appreciation, gifts or rewards can often be appropriate, but consider these carefully.
  7. Pay It Forward - sometimes the best thanks is to help someone else.

A 5th grade leader discusses a pay-it-forward project in her school: click here

“I do not pretend to give such a Sum; I only lend it to you. When you... meet with another honest Man in similar Distress, you must pay me by lending this Sum to him; enjoining him to discharge the Debt by a like operation, when he shall be able... I hope it may thus go thro' many hands... This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good with a little money.”
- Benjamin Franklin, in a letter to Benjamin Webb dated April 22, 1784

A hearty THANK YOU to everyone who has been a part of Think Leadership Ideas.
Let me hear from you.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Tom
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