Saying « Thank you » and « Please » in a meaningful way are one of the first few things we teach our children. Yet this practice seems to somehow go away in the workplace.

Why ?

Many leaders hesitate to show their appreciation because they wonder why they should show gratitude just because an employee does his job. Others even worry that showing gratitude might even create some sort of extra expectation from the employee, like more pay.

In this narrative, it is considered that work is done in exchange of compensation and that the “appreciation” is shown as simply getting paid.

Well this is where many leaders get it wrong.

Saying thank you is more than just acknowledging someone for doing their job. It is also showing respect for them.

When you say  a meaningful “Thank you”, you create a culture of appreciation and cultivate meaning in the workplace. What we each do, matters.

As leaders, your role is transform vision into realities, by having your teams engaged, committed and ready to deliver.

 

One of the most sought after forms of praise in  life and in the workplace is appreciation.

As human beings, we all want to hear that we are positively contributing and that what we do matters.

It’s motivating and encouraging.

At work, it creates job satisfaction, increased productivity and high engagement.

In a study by the John Templeton Foundation, 70% of people said they would feel better about themselves if their employer or manager were more grateful and 81% said they would work harder.

Here are a few ways to say thank you at work :

• Stop by an individual’s workstation or office to talk informally | You can do it on Zoom too
• Provide frequent positive performance feedback
• Provide public praise at a staff meeting
• Offer the possibility of having (virtual) coffee
• Make career developments commitments
• Provide opportunities for empowerment and self-management
• Ask the employee to represent the department at an important, external meeting
• Have the employee represent the department on an inter-departmental committee

As the philosopher, William James rightly wrote : “ The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.”

Thank you !