• Do You Let People Know You
Appreciate Them? Why It’s So Important
• Question of the Month: Have You
Ever Experienced Coworker Drama?
• How to Make Yourself Indispensable:
6 Tips to Get You Started
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• Do You Let People Know You • Question of the Month: Have You • How to Make Yourself Indispensable: |
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Do You Let People Know You Appreciate Them? Why It’s So Important When someone recognizes how hard I’ve worked on something, it renews my determination to keep it up, and it inspires me to do more. It makes me excited all over again about the project and — well, as cheesy as it sounds, it makes me glad to come to work in the morning. And that sort of recognition is sometimes even more powerful when it’s coming from somewhere unexpected — when instead of coming from a boss, it comes from somebody in another department or even from a coworker who worked just as hard on the project as I did. Because I know they really mean it — and that all the extra time and effort I took to do a good job was really appreciated. When you let people know you appreciate them, it makes them glad to work with you. It makes them go the extra mile in the future, and it leaves them with a great impression of you. That’s why it’s always been a strong goal of mine to return the favor when I have the opportunity. Whether it’s somebody who really comes through for me on a special project or just somebody who does a great job every day, I try to recognize that and reward it. Here are just some of the things I’ve done for coworkers over the years to thank them:
Some of these took more effort than others — but every single one of them was something I felt the person deserved. And it not only made them feel appreciated, it made me feel great to know that I’d made their day. SHARE:
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Your Responses:
As usual, I'm reading this about two weeks late; ha ha!
Barbara, the fact that you can count years (as opposed to months) of working with your staff speaks volumes about how you run your department ... excellent! I like this article and agree whole heartedly! Sometimes just a small pat on the back goes a long way. I also agree that it makes me feel more happy to help that person again and enjoy doing the job for them. That's awesome! Where do you work, I'd like to apply for a position! I work in the construction industry which has been hit really hard by this economy. We have not gotten raises or bonuses for the past three years, and this year we were not given a 401k/Profit Sharing contribution. Every day we are wondering if we will be laid off, we have all taken on the jobs of other persons that have been laid off. So I think that it would be nice to hear a Thank you, or Good Job from my supervisor when appropriate. Thank you for this article. I treat my staff with respect and I find that they appreiciate this much more than a simple good morning. I also treat my staff a co-workers to donuts, fruit or some sort of goodie at the end of every week just to say thank you for all the hard work they've done. What do you do with the person who loves the praise when given for a good job and is crabby/has a harsh tone, the rest of the time? If she isn't tops,then she wants to bring everyone else down, so she looks better. I see many really great ideas above, and in the comments below. Probably be a good idea not to discredit the way another person shows gratitude though. As someone stated, there are many different personality types; sincerity in the praise is what counts most. Thanks to all who shared their personal way of giving praise and keeping moral in our workplaces. Have a great day! :-) We have a box that you can put a card in to acknowledge an individual for going the extra mile. When we have our Business Office meetings, someone draws a card. A gift of some sort ($5 gift card for Starbucks, etc.)is given to that person.
We have another department that does the same thing. It's a simple way of showing appreciation without a lot of expense on the company.
Deb To Carol: I work in a production driven environment for a large company, with the top producing team each month/year. My team is successful not because I walk around saying good morning with a forced smile, but because they know that I have their back at all times, I'm their strongest supporter and I've set them up for success (which means bigger monthly bonus payouts for them, BTW my teams holds the largest in the company each month). My dept. is highly sought after when an opening arrives, which is rare due to the low turnover ratio I hold. The way to gain employees loyalty is with dedication and respect, NOT a good morning smile :) I agree 100% and it brings forth an inner glow and good feeling no matter if you're on the giving or receiving side. This is to Emily.
We are not saying to do every single minute of every single day, just when you know a job is well done why not. And what's the matter with saying "good morning"? Maybe you should watch the show "Undercover Boss", you may get some good pointers.Good gravy Emily, you need a good long vacation. People need to receive credit for their efforts. It empowers them and keeps them motivated. If an employee has assisted me on a particular project, I invite him/her to accompany me to a meetings where the project is being discussed with upper mgmt or other departments. Even if they don't contribute a lot during the meeting, at least they have been introduced and acknowledged as an important member of the team. Great ideas. I have one to share: Each year, on my employees anniversay,I give him/her a small giftwraped token, such as a paperweight or letter opener. More importantly, I attached a handwritten note acknowledging how many years they have been with me and how much I appreciate them supporting me for one more year. Often times I buy lunch for my employees. There are those that no matter what you do you cannot make them happy. Believe those are just negative people that work hard but work with complete bitterness due to outside factors in their lives.... Love the car wash idea!!!
I have done little messages with the WOW factor on them and include pins that I have purchased from Idville and have different sayings on them with a nice pin to go on a lanyard.... They like it!! I love articles like these! Thanks for the ideas!! If this person is a hard worker; rarely leaving their desk, offer to take them to lunch ... I owe so many thank you(s) I work with top notch folks who will help at the drop of a hat if their time permits. Yes, I'm gaining weight - please smile. It's been said a simple thank you will do ... a simple thank you that's really meant will stand out and be remembered. I find myself responding with appreciation in emails more than I do in person. When someone emails me to let me know they finished something early, or is asking for additional work, I let them know they are a Rock Star! My personality is such that my appreciation comes across much more upbeat than it would in person.
I'm so confused about those that think they should be acknowledge for doing their job. I'm a manager of 32 employees and I'm not the cheerleader type. When the overall team reaches some major goals then I praise them in a group setting. But these individual "thank you" letters is a bit overkill in my opinion. My employees know it takes a lot to get that pat on the head, therfore when it is given it means so much more than if I was a manger who consistently dished it out. Be careful of being overly thankful, it becomes so repetative that it looses it touch. I Work in a metal stamping company and I have for 20 years in the office and there isn't a day that I don't go out to the shop and say "Good Morning" to the people that make the presses go....Team work and a smile go a long way... It is hard to remember to show gratitude for work well done when we are all so busy, but it is really important. It is important to know your staff and what motivates them, it isn't the same for everyone. One unique thing I have done is to scrape ice / snow off windows at the end of the day. I'm an Executive Assistant to Senior Exec and here are just a few thank you quotes from my Boss and he meant it. Yes, it does make me glad to go to work and go the extra mile.
"Thank you!!", "Thanks for your help.", "I think you are the greatest", "You make my world so much better", "You are awesome". So often we are made aware of the mistakes we make and the successes go unoticed. Positive reinforcement goes a long way, so reward the accomplishments and address the mistakes as appropriate. An upbeat spirit, laughter, and praise are ways to build up a team; thus making them a success. |
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