Back in the early-90’s a woman applied for a job with me. During the interview, she mentioned she’d recently done some temp work for ex-NFL running back Tucker Frederickson, then a local businessman here in Jupiter, Florida.
Remembering Tucker from my boyhood and immediately going into gushing fan mode, I asked if he was a nice guy. (Note: Today, I would never ask that kind of question as it opens the door to negative talk, which is a form of gossip. Back then, that was not a consideration.)
She said he was always very polite, professional and courteous.
However, one thing she mentioned really struck me:
“At the end of every day, he always thanked me.”
What a great idea!
In fact, from that point on, whether someone worked either as a temp, part-time, or a full-time member of my team, I thanked them at the end of each day.
Nearly 20 years later, visiting with another woman, Ilene; who’d worked with me full-time as my office manager for more than 10 years (before I moved my office into my home) we began to reminisce.
Imagine my surprise when she told me that what she remembered most about our time together — and what she often told others — was that, at the end of every day, I always thanked her.
Ilene was a terrific and extremely loyal team member. I’m sure it wasn’t because I thanked her every day. But, I’ll bet it didn’t hurt. And, I’ll bet it effectively communicated how very much I genuinely valued her.
How might a simple “thank you” affect those on your team?
Just a thought. And, thank you, Mr. Frederickson!
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Love this post Bob! Thanking my employees was something I also did every day. I didn’t really give it much thought; it just seemed like the right thing to do.
Another thing I did, was slip a $50 (or sometimes $100!) dollar bill in with their paycheck, if they had done something “extra nice” like coming in early, staying late, going the extra mile with a patient… I would write on a sticky note “Thanks for___________. We appreciate you!” It was an easy way to show our appreciation and make someone’s day at the same time AND it helped us retain a staff that truly cared about. And it also felt good 🙂
Linda: Very cool! Knowing you as I do, it doesn’t surprise me one bit!
Bob,
Thank you so much for this reminder.
It’s like our mutual hero Harvey Mackay says “little things mean a lot. Not true! Little things mean everything!”.
Here in Portugal, “Obrigado” is the word we use to say “Thank you”. The interesting thing is that “obrigado” can be also used to say that we were forced to do something.
So, when I say “Obrigado” to a team member, sometimes they reply back saying: “why are you thanking me for? I wasn’t forced to do it!”
That’s when I reply: “And that’s exactly why I’m thanking you. You see, if you were forced to do it because you didn’t have free-will, how valuable will it be? But because you did it using your free-will AND with all your heart into it – I’m saying thank you to appreciate you!”
I had a boss once who said – “why do I need to thank or to motivate people? Isn’t that the reason why I pay them?”. What he missed is that while money hires the their Heads, it’s appreciating people that hires their Heart.
And it’s in the little things that we do over a long period of time that really show people that we care about them! Since we care about what we value, they feel valued! That’s when they will go and take care of our customers in the same way that we treated them!
Appreciate and be grateful for everything that isn’t granted – EVERYTHING!
Bruno: You did it again, my young, but extremely wise friend. WOW!
The best motivator, for me personally, in my paralegal job that I started in February, has been (and is), a wonderful boss who is very consistent on expressing her appreciation of my efforts. She also is always encouraging if I am hesitant, or unsure. She reminds me of how much I have learned and am doing on my own on our cases, since my start. Definitely, keeps me working hard, pushing myself to learn the next level of my work, and feel that I earn her confidence in my work. It’s been a ‘game-changer’ for me, having that professional support from my attorney. (and she ‘thanked’ me with a Christmas bonus 🙂 )
Tori: I love it. What a GREAT, encouraging story. Thank you for sharing that!
Great story and fantastic idea. When I had an unpaid internship in college, one of the two partners would always thank me at the end of the day. I’ve always remembered and talked about that experience. Proves that money is not so much of a motivator as recognition for contribution and value.
Lori: What great points you make. Thank you!
{Note: Check out Lori’s line of Gratitude Products, including her Gratitude Cookies at http://www.zenrabbit.com/}
Didn’t knew about Lori’s products but she won me for having Rabbit on her business name! 😀 That’s my way of looking at Life!
How refreshing to read these comments.
Many people will say ” no need to thank me” but I want to thank people.
I want that person to know they are appreciated for their efforts.
I thank the person that bags my groceries, the person that clears the table after a meal, the person that holds a door open for me, the mentor that educates me, the net worker that calls to tell me how happy they are we met.
A show of thanks and appreciation can only be better paired with a genuine smile !! 🙂
Thank you for choosing to share this story, be well my friend!
Leila: Indeed, always great to thank everyone we possibly can. Really, it’s both for our sakes and their sakes. 🙂 Thank you for sharing with us!
This post reinforces what I learned when I surveyed people asking them what were the qualities of a genuine leader. Many of the surveys asked questions about bosses as leaders. One of the top five responses was “expresses genuine appreciation”. In further discussions with people who responded with that answer, it became very clear to me that a sincere, “Thank you for what you do” or “Thank you for who you are and what you bring to the group” had lasting impact.
*WARNING: Lori’s Gratitude Cookies can be addictive!*
Thank you, Bob, for the positive impact you have and for all the value you share.
Beverly: Thank you. I agree wholeheartedly, both with your research…and about Lori’s cookies! 🙂
Hello Bob,
I just learnt something today, and this time again, yet another incredible lesson coming from you!
Thank you Bob for this awesome story for a Friday (“End Of The Week”) to think of those who came in and thank them for the value they added during this whole week.
Warm Regards,
Kumar
Kumar: I appreciate that, my friend. “Thank you!” 🙂
One of the most important things in this univers is to “GRANT BEINGNESS” to your fellow beings. And a GREAT way of doing that is saying Thank You. Beautiful article Bob.
THANK YOU 😀
Lene: Thank you so much. What a great point! And, thank you for the share on Facebook!
@Bruno
Your line about ” while money hires the their Heads, it’s appreciating people that hires their Heart” is incredibly brilliant! May I borrow that? As Bob said, your words are wise. Please keep sharing.
@Bob
Thank you’s were not a genuine part of my corporate culture. Formal “thank you’s” were sent down the pipeline when customers wrote in about an extraordinary experience. Those didn’t have nearly the effect on me that a simple genuine thank you (with genuine affirmation coming through their eyes) from a colleague in the moment had. It is so empowering!!! And when I learned to do the same, I felt connected with that person and filled with a wonderful feeling that I was able to leave them with a feeling of empowerment.
Thank you, Bob, for writing about this topic and hopefully bringing an awareness for change to the hearts of more people.
Michelle: Thank you. Bruno is a wise young man, indeed! And, thank you for sharing your personal thoughts about the post; especially from the context of your experience. Very appreciated. Thank you for sharing with us!
My pleasure Bob 🙂
A Sincere Thank YOU does wonders… In today’s society as a whole it is a word that has been forgotten and Lost… Imagine if ever person in all aspects of their Life’s whether it be at Home or work said… Thank YOU… How often to hear people complain that they aren’t Thanked…
And it all starts with teaching our Young Ones the word Thank YOU…
One of my assistant’s brother who is slightly challenged from lack of Oxygen at birth is amazing… He works TWO jobs and every time I visit no matter what I do for him or others do for him he says Thank YOU it is such a joy to be around him… The days I visit I must hear at Least 10 Thank You’s for him… For him it is a Constant Word of Gratitude whether it is I helped him spell a word or helped him with an Email etc… He constantly reminds me of how important a Thank YOU…
Imagine if every husband said Thank YOU when being served his meal etc…
It is as very Impactful word…
I say Thank YOU as often as I can… and YES, I sometimes forget when in heated rush
on productions, however at the end of the day I will always say Thank YOU to my time,
without them there is No Production…
Carly: Thank you for sharing that; including and especially the part about your assistant’s brother – what an inspiration he is!
I really like this idea and can understand how it can help improve employee morale. Especially when an employee is having a rough day.
It also would help them realize even though mistakes were made, you still appreciate what they’re doing for you and the business. As people begin to lose sight of that, their energy and engagement begin to decline.
Joseph: Very thoughtful and powerful points. Thank you for sharing with us!