Showing Gratitude to Your Team

Can They SEE Your Thankfulness?

Today we will do the obligatory Thanksgiving gratitude post. After all, its that time of year when we are practically forced to consider our blessings. So along with the ocean of other articles extolling the importance of being thankful, allow me to present one more. But I will add the Rick Ellis spin. 😇 

Who Do You Spend the Most Time With?

If you don’t count sleep time, we spend as much time or more with our work team than our family and home team. Your coworker may see you more than their spouse!  That makes you a very significant person in their life. Its a lot to ask of your team, isn’t it? To spend at least a third of their life working for or with you? 

Its one thing to be thankful for your hardworking and loyal onsite team. But how do you show gratitude? Can your team see, feel, and experience your gratitude for them?

Making Your "Thank You’s” Mean Something

There is nothing wrong with a sincere “attaboy/girl” or well-crafted thank you note. These are nice gestures but may I suggest something more memorable? Consider these tips to show your team how much you really appreciate them.

• Greet every team member by name...and with warmth and sincerity. This will be difficult at first but the more you do it, the better you will get. Keep it up and your team will begin to respond positively and model your behavior.
• Learn and remember the names of their family members and significant others. Listen for and respond to significant events in those relationships.
• Know their hobbies and extracurricular activities. What do they like to do with their spare time?
• Do they have a passion in life? Is there a core value or organization they love that you can care about and support?
• Be aware of their personal challenges and family struggles. You don’t have to solve all their problems or play therapist. Yet, if your experience and developed wisdom can help in their life struggle, offer some appropriate council.

Does this sounds more like a primer for developing positive work relationships? Exactly. The best way to show how thankful you are for your work teams’ efforts, support, and production is your real, human engagement with them. Without this aspect of gratitude, the promotions, performance recognition, and bonuses just don’t have the same impact. 

       And thanksgiving is a year long joy. Don’t stop after November!