I have already written similar blogs on this topic (Support Crew, Thanksgiving Leadership, and Water the Flowers). This topic is so important to me. I will admit, I am not always the best at doing it. I guess that is why I keep coming back to it.
Kindness can transform the world, your world and those around you. Kindness as a way of life is hard. It asks you to give something of yourself routinely, day after day. Not just for occasions when generosity is expected. Teach this philosophy by being a living example.
With that being said, I have begun to start small by writing two thank you notes a week. I used to be better at this, but I am trying to be more intentional in recognizing others and how much value they bring.
Most people think employees only want money. That is false. They want acknowledgement for the work they do and to be heard. It is that simple. We try and make things so complex. When in reality we should just keep it simple.
A handwritten note is the most powerful tool you can use to show appreciation. I know this because I have received some of my own as well as given them to others. Every time I have received a note, I have saved it. It made me feel as if I was on top of the world. It made me feel as if I added value to someone. How powerful is that?!? I also save every comment I get on my blogs. When someone says, Jason, thank you for that, I needed that today, love this, etc. It tells me I added value to someone today.
Last week I started my thank you note writing. I ended up writing five last week instead of the two I had set as a goal. After I had written the note, I left it on their desk. When I came to work the next day, they had already written a note back and put it on my computer screen. It had made their day, which in turn made mine.
The next day I came to work and I had this entire box of goodies. I could not believe it. I thought this person had bought all this because I wrote them a thank you note. I was touched but at the same time that is not what I expected in return for a thank you note. I did not want anything in return.
I read the card and low and behold it was a gift from my entire work recognizing me for my 5 years of working with them. It was awesome. The goodies they got me were well thought out.
I could not believe this was for me. They took time from their day to buy me things and write me a small note. It wasn't the goodies that I was so taken aback from but just the thoughtfulness that went into it. To know they would take time from their own day to do this just for me. Now that is appreciation. That makes you feel valued!
Do you see what I mean? Something small, made me, a person (employee), feel great and write a blog about it. This attitude rubs off on others and it just keeps building and building.
So remember to thank someone today. Let them know you appreciate what they do and you do not take them for granted. They make your day better. They are valuable to you. They are special.