Give thanks

DREAMSTIME.COM

Open houses, holiday events and the bustle of shoppers purchasing trees, plants, decorations and gifts are sure signs that the holidays are upon us.

Before Thanksgiving becomes a fading memory, I have three questions for you: How grateful are you for the people who work for you? How regularly do you express your gratitude to them? And, if you have a boss, how often do you convey your appreciation and gratitude to them?

If you’re stingy with your praise or tempted to think you shouldn’t have to thank people for doing their job, you might want to consider that 81 percent of the respondents of a recent gratitude survey conducted for the John Templeton Foundation, which supports research studies, indicated they would work harder if their bosses were more grateful. What would it do for your department, business and profitability if 81 percent of your employees worked harder?

Unfortunately, people are least likely to express gratitude at work than in any other area of their life.

And, leaders aren’t the only ones who aren’t expressing their gratitude, as 74 percent of employees never or rarely expressed gratitude to their boss. How sad is that?

Here are seven ways to inexpensively express gratitude:

1. Say “thank you” individually. While there are people who like to be publically praised, others would rather eat a poisonous plant than suffer the embarrassment of everyone’s attention. Just this past, month my niece’s boss caught her in private and told her he would take 10 of her. She was thrilled and ever so grateful he didn’t say it in a meeting. I, on the other hand, love public praise, even if it is a bit embarrassing. Act on what each employee prefers, and they’ll think you’re a rock star.
2. Say “thank you” to your team. While you’ll always want to thank your team at the holidays and after a busy time or big project, occasionally surprise your group by telling them how much their hard work means to you, your company and your customers.
3. Write a note or award a certificate. Praise put into writing is tangible proof that their efforts are recognized and appreciated.
4. Bring in food. Providing something as simple as apple cider and donuts, gourmet popcorn or a veggie tray goes a long way to express gratitude, particularly during peak seasons. Spring for lunch and you’ll be an even bigger hero.
5. Walk the floor, pitch in and say hello when you pass people. When you’re not around, fail to acknowledge their very existence with a greeting, or appear to be above the work they are doing, your employees are going to feel invisible and underappreciated. Pitch in unexpectedly and they’ll think you hung the moon.
6. Give a small memento or gift. It’s easy to convey appreciation with something small that they can consume, display or that has your company’s logo on it.
7. Let them come in an hour later or leave an hour earlier than usual, or go all out and give them a day off. Couple it with a sincere, “I know you’ve been working extra hard, and I appreciate it,” and they will be delighted.

The only thing worse than no gratitude is forced or insincere gratitude. If you can’t find something to praise, it’s probably time for a heartfelt chat about their performance and commitment to the organization.

Live on the wild side this holiday season and see how your employees respond. I’m confident you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the uptake in morale and productivity that expressed gratitude generates.

Sherene works with organizations who want to boost their Leadership IQ so they can enhance effectiveness, increase employee engagement and raise productivity. Learn more atsherenemchenry.com.