Try A Simple Thank You

03/05/07

Recognize effort with a simple, heartfelt “thank you.” It costs nothing. And it can mean a lot more to some people and motivate them better than money or merchandise.

Here’s how to say thank you:

1. Say thanks immediately upon “catching someone doing something right.” Tie your thanks to the positive effects the action had. For example, “Thanks very much for your effort. If you hadn’t alerted us to the problem, we’d have wasted thousands of dollars."

2. Write a handwritten note. Thank employees for a job well done or say how much you value their services. Such letters can motivate a person for years.

3. Blow someone else’s horn. A manager recently sent out a companywide email touting the efforts of a single person in solving a complex problem. The person not only appreciated the thanks but was overjoyed that the most senior people in the company would hear of the deed.

4. Hand out paychecks or bonuses in person along with a sincere “thank you.” This is also a good opportunity to find out how things are going on the front lines.

5. Show appreciation and change your own behavior using the old penny trick. Tomorrow morning, put five pennies in your pocket. Find five reasons to thank people. As you thank them, transfer a penny to a different pocket. Aim to move all the pennies by the end of the day. If you can’t find five reasons to thank employees, you’re not trying!