Thank You

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

“For all that has been, thanks. For all that will be, yes.” – Dag Hammarskjold

The other day I was getting ready to leave for work and my daughter was saying goodbye to me. As I was walking to the car she said, “Daddy, don’t forget to thank everyone for coming to work today!” I began to realize the importance of what she had just told me to do.

I think that in the rush of everyday life we forget that people make a choice to come to work everyday. They may not stand in front of their mirror every morning and say the words “I’m choosing to go to work at company ZYX”, but they are making that choice.  When was the last time you acknowledged that choice?

There are many ways to “thank” people.  If you need a starter list, here are some ideas:

• Acknowledge individual success at every staff meeting (it’s a great thank you and it’s contagious!)
• Start every meeting with someone’s success (there are more of these than you think!)
• Give small gifts for extra effort.  (One company I know encourages everyone in this company to give a gift spontaneously or call a celebratory moment for those they see doing more or giving more!)
• Have more company “happy hours”, get-togethers and events (baseball games, picnics, etc.)
• And of course, you can actually say “thanks for being here and working hard” too.

None of these things are revolutionary, new or difficult, but sometimes we take for granted the real choice people are making.

All of us in business keep talking about how “people are our biggest asset” and how difficult it is to attract and retain good people – you’ve heard it all. If you’re like me, you’ve said it all too. But in recent times – we’ve forgotten it all! So, when was the last time you thanked your co-workers and business partners for choosing to come to work with you today? If you can’t remember (or haven’t done it in awhile) – go thank them right now. If people truly are your most important asset – let them know you appreciate their choice. And while you’re at it, figure out a way to make the process part of your culture going forward.

And after you get that done, let that “thank you for choosing us” extend to your clients and customers, to your business partners, your community leaders and anyone else who “chooses” you.

Thanks for listening,

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