A Lost Art

During tough times, be it the current one effecting all of us and brought on by the seeming collapse of our economic system or those more idiosyncratic to a particular organization, it is important to pay attention to our most valuable asset—people.  So, what are you doing to express loudly and clearly just how much you appreciate all of the good work your paid and volunteer employees do for your organization and the clients it serves?

And before the “but” escapes your mouth or your thinking, remember that appreciation doesn’t have to cost lots of dollars, or any dollars for that matter.  Let’s begin with a straightforward  “Thank you!”  Two such simple words so frequently overlooked and/or forgotten but with such a powerful impact.   The Mansis Development Corporation, a Canadian management consulting and training company, has identified 16 benefits of a thank you, from building self-esteem to generating a copy cat effect. 

Yet if two little words that take such little time to utter can have such a powerful impact on an individual and her/his work environment, why do so few use them?  (I wonder if using just “Thanks!” produces only eight effects?)  Perhaps more need to reintroduce this phrase into their repertoire.  (And not just in the workplace.  But don’t let me get started on that one!)

One of the benefits of a thank you noted in this Mansis list is the fact that it costs no money.  But there are other no-cost or low-cost options for showing personnel how much they are appreciated, for helping them weather the stressful times that we are currently in and for creating a work environment that supports and nurtures rather than makes things worse. For starters, there is real flex scheduling or starting the day an hour later or leaving an hour earlier; there is the possibility of working from home one day a week when appropriate or giving an extra mental health day every once in a while.   These are just some of the more common and easy options and by no means represent an exhaustive list.  But they should be enough to get you thinking about the possibilities.

The last thing we want to do during tumultuous times, times when we need our employees humming at their best to serve clients feeling most needy, is to create environments that give employees incentive to wander. 

So, say thank you, and then do more.

P.S.  Look for one of our tip sheets coming soon on other simple ways to recognitize and motivate employees.