🙌 Thank you magic.
Appreciation
The emergency nurse at Kaiser reached out her hand to me. As she held my hand, she had “BREATHE” tattooed on her forearm. Breathe is an important message at any time, and, in fact, she had it tattooed on both arms...in case you were holding her other hand. I was exhausted and overwhelmed. I had just delivered my son and was experiencing some complications. Her comfort in that moment was incredibly helpful, but I didn’t get to tell her how much that meant to me.
Our paths crossed for only a few hours many years ago, but I think of her kindness, her presence and her tattoo during a really tough moment. Since I didn't get a chance to thank her directly, I send my appreciation to her and extend it to all nurses and medical staff that have helped me, feeling deep gratitude for their care. What would we do without amazing medical professionals? Especially over the past year.
Today I’m sharing a secret of great management and a more fulfilling life. This secret is guaranteed to make you feel happier, more connected, more content. Check out all the benefits of gratitude.
My management secret? Show appreciation for people.
Not in a fake, racking up the brownie points kind of way, but a sincere moment of appreciation for someone who helped you in ways big or small.
The number one reason people leave their job is feeling under-appreciated. As a manager, I know leadership roles can be really overwhelming. It's easy to assume the team knows they are valued or that recognition is something extra that happens sporadically. And, after all, perhaps no one is recognizing YOU either.
Great managers get into the habit of recognizing and spotlighting the efforts of their team. There are some easy ways to show appreciation for your team members.
A few suggestions:
Drop a note recognizing someone who's making it through this past year with grace. Let them know you've noticed the effort despite really challenging circumstances. Chances are, that person is struggling more than they let on. It's a year to recognize the effort of just getting by.
Offer team members an option to expense dinner or Friday coffees or another treat as we'd all welcome a break from meal prep.
Spend more time listening. When meetings are so transactional, we can forget our team member may need an ear to listen or get your opinion. "Tell me more about that decision" or "Tell me what you hope to achieve by doing X" are great ways to open up a deeper conversation.
Make a practice of giving shout outs weekly. Make appreciation you a practiced habit. Schedule time on Friday and to drop a few Thank Yous to everyone that positively impacted your work, helped you push a project forward or connect you to a resource or information you needed.
Appreciation can happen anywhere, anytime.
How many people have been there to get you where you are today? Teachers, baristas, mentors, friends, neighbors, delivery people.
in the speed of life, relationships can become very transactional. We’re only looking for what we’re getting - and when - instead of seeing and appreciating all that we already have and all the ways people in our lives have shown up.
Make a commitment to thank one person today.
Go beyond “Thanks, dude” and dig in to express your appreciation.
A few suggestions:
Write a 5-star review for your favorite author or podcast.
Leave a thank you note for your neighbor.
Recommend your friend’s new business on social media.
Write an email of thanks to a co-worker - and copy their manager.
Drop a message on LinkedIn to an old mentor who gave you a boost or set an example for you.
Appreciation Challenge
Want to up your game? Commit to one act of appreciation everyday this week.
If you’re up for the challenge, drop a thanks and drop me an email with the password “THANKSDUDE” for a small surprise.
🎁 Attitude of Gratitude Support Kit 🎁
Looking for an easy way to have the whole gang thank someone? Try a Kudoboard.
Even Harvard says gratitude works