What do you think about this title? With Thanksgiving being this week I thought it fitting to talk about Giving Thanks. Some of you probably do not believe that those words could be used at the same time. Let me explain to you how Thanksgiving Leadership can make you a better person and leader.
I was visiting with a leader in my company and discussing what motivates people. We have so many assumptions and perceptions of what we think motivates people that we had decided we needed to ask. Everyone has something different that motivates them.
In this particular case, the person we were discussing said that bonuses, extra pay, vacation, etc did not motivate her. She simply said appreciation motivated her.
I know what you're thinking! Giving them a bonus, extra pay, more time off is showing appreciation. That is Giving Thanks. But she simply said just a thank you of a job well done was all she wanted and needed to keep her motivated.
As I listened, I began to think how true this is. I was visiting a group of people and helping them with a project when I noticed they had a Thank-you letter I wrote posted on their refrigerator from over a year ago. It meant that much to them that they kept it and displayed it proudly. They spoke of it with energy and enthusiasm.
I look in my office and I have Thank-you cards posted and taped around that I have kept from the few years I have been on board at my current job. Those meant more to me than any other sign of appreciation I have received. Not to mislead you, I do like bonuses and extra days off as well.
To the point, this week is about Thanksgiving or Giving Thanks. Our words written down do make a difference in someone's life, someone's motivation, someone's decisions.
As people receive and give thanks, positive energy is created, and as everyone strives to do their very best, excellence and higher levels of performance are achieved.
It takes believing and understanding that people perform at higher levels when they feel appreciated. And I do not mean just canned appreciation but real, heart-felt, personally written thanks.
So, during this Thanksgiving, I want to challenge you to think about the Thanks you should be giving to people for not only the things they do, but for who they are, how they behave, and what they stand for as individuals and leaders themselves. Be grateful for who you are, what you have done, and what you stand for.
Improve personal and business relationships and performance by doing THANKSGIVING LEADERSHIP!