Have you said thank you today?

I had a real eye opener this week.  Because of an urgent situation in my sector, I witnessed incredible leadership from the usual types.  I’ve always known that the people I see everyday are at times extraordinary, but I was still taken aback and I’m still thinking about it today, almost a week later. 

This event required two teams working simultaneously to communicate with a whole host of other individuals and to take action so the chances of very high risk situations could be averted.   We all came together, stayed at work late after an already full day, and then continued to be on alert for several more days.  After the first evening, I went home pretty tired and thought I should do something to recognize my immediate team.  I mean, even though one could argue that we just did whatever was needed in this kind of situation, it wasn’t sitting well with me not to say something simple, like “thank you”.   The next morning, I sent off a note to everyone who was involved in the scene.  I didn’t think anything more about this till I remembered that the previous week, I was asked if I’d anonymously sent a group of people in the office beautiful plants they’d received.  When asked if I had, I said I had not, but added that I wished I had.  This situation and the one described above make me ask:  do we say “thank you” enough to people in the workplace?  And if not, how often is enough and what qualifies for this special recognition?

Many modern workplaces have tons of different ways in which they recognize employees, some of which quickly become routine and lose their punch, and others that are successful and have lasting meaning.  I’m starting to think that there are very simple ways to recognize and thank people that don’t involve a whole lot of fanfare, but that can have a deep and personal meaning to the people receiving the acknowledgement. 

I remember the first time I got a thank you card.  I was working in the Canadian Arctic in very remote, challenging conditions.  By the time the card rolled around, I’d been there for almost three years, and it was the first time anyone took the time to acknowledge that even though there was a lot more work to do (my assessment), what had been achieved or attempted was appreciated.  I kept that card on my desk until I got a second one, and then I placed them together and kept them in my sight until I left the following year.  I felt deeply and sincerely appreciated.  No fanfare or public display.  But I knew what it meant to me.

How did the staff in my office feel when they got their plants anonymously?  Appreciated – maybe a bit perplexed as to who sent them, but appreciated.  How do you feel when you get special notice? – I’d actually like to hear from you on this question, or if you want to tell me what you think would be effective recognition for notable circumstances. 

In Hardwiring Excellence, Quint Studer devotes a whole section on WOW cards, recognition, rewards, and thank you notes.  He recommends developing a system to notify you or your boss of individuals in your organization who have earned special notice.  He actually suggests that organizations should set targets for the number of thank you cards they send.  Furthermore, there are some thank you notes that should have distinction and be sent to a person’s home.  Imagine that?  Getting a thank you note from your boss at home?  Visualize being the one who sends the note to someone’s home and imagine the lasting memory that would have.  Isn’t this one of the greatest things about leadership?  Isn’t that what sets us apart from other types in the workplace?  We have the power, ability, tools, and means to deliver powerful and positive messages to staff.  Do we take advantage of that ability as much as we should?

For several years after I got my first two thank you cards, I kept a package of cards and passed them on to people I knew had really done something exceptional.  I did that for years.  Somewhere, somehow I stopped.  I don’t know why.  But later today, I’m going to get a new batch and have them ready and available.  What about you?  Tell us how you recognize your staff and what impact it has.

If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to post below (sign up for a free Google account), or email me directly at jbezz@shaw.ca.

Have a great week!