Ya'atay
Saying "Thank-You" to co-workers, friends and family
members is a quick, low cost, method to engage
those around us and one that we often overlook
when we get
caught up in the stresses of everyday life. My wife
says that if someone "pats me on the head" once, I
am their friend for life. Although this might be true
(and I'm not saying it is), is that so bad? I like to be
appreciated for the effort I put forth or the value I
provide. Don't you? Well, we're not alone, friend.
In a recent survey completed by Marketwatch, only
21% of workers worldwide are engaged. In that, they
are willing to put forth that "extra effort" at work. The
survey also stated that 38% were disengaged and
41% were just "enrolled" (on their way to
engagement). These are astounding figures to me.
What is even more astounding is that the #1 thing
(according to the survey) leaders can do to get
employees "engaged" is to show a sincere interest in
their well being. To me, that screams, "SAY THANK
YOU!" Team members want to know that what they
do
matters, their job matters, and that they provide
some "value" to the end product. To get your team on
the road to engagement, try these 3 low cost ways to
say thanks:
1. Actually say "THANK YOU!" Get out of the office, do
some
leading by walking around and connect with those
around you. Make eye contact and be specific in what
you appreciate. Sounds too simple...doesn't it!?
2. Create your own "Fun Squad" (like me) that
celebrates a worker of
the week or for accomplishing team goals with a
luncheon, celebration song, or some other festive
action.
3. Build an "Appreciation Wall." Designate an area
where you can post pictures of team members,
thank-you notes from clients and customers, and
clippings about the organization's success. Celebrate
your people whenever and wherever you can.
In my Top 10 list of all time greatest movies is the
1986 classic, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (written and
directed by John Hughes). It's a great movie about
youth, friendship and one man's struggle to take it
easy (the movie's tagline). My favorite scene is when
Ferris (played by Matthew Broderick) is gliding down
Chicago's Michigan Avenue on a parade float singing
Wayne Newton's "Danke Schoen." What a fantastic
scene! It depicts what we all should be doing-- singing
thank you (what Danke Schoen means in German) at
the top of lungs, enjoying life, and living! Thanking
those around us for their contribution doesn't need to
be this grand; just a simple and heart-felt thanks can
pave many miles of motivational highway. Live in
an "attitude of gratitude!"
Want more ways to say "Thank You?"
Email me and I will send you a list of over 100 low cost
ways to thank team members for FREE!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like
wrapping a present and not giving it."
~William Arthur Ward
Keep laughing, leading, rockin', and connecting!
- Chip
