Mahalo, Merci, Xie Xie, and Thanks!
26/11/08 Filed in: 7 Ideas Coach
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
- By definition, we are only leaders when we have followers.
- A leader’s accomplishments are dependent on contributions of others.
- People contribute their best when they do so voluntarily.
- If high performance is valued, it’s incumbent on leaders to acknowledge the voluntary contribution that other people make - in short, show appreciation.
- A thank-you acknowledgement needs to be personal - it’s a communication between people.
- This acknowledgement needs to be intentional - something that requires attention.
- 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:
- Say it - call or see the person and voice your appreciation.
- Write it - email is better than nothing, but the hand-written thank you note stands out.
- Make it public - that certificate of appreciation or employee of the month award announces your appreciation to the world.
- Celebrate - combine the former with food and make appreciation an event.
- 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.
- Gift - as a symbol of appreciation, gifts or rewards can often be appropriate, but consider these carefully.
- 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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