Appreciation… it costs nothing and it makes a world of difference to our friends and family and co-workers, and especially our bosses. Merci mes amis for your continued support – it has made such a difference in my life 🙂
LinkedIn: by Chester Elton
By now there’s enough statistical evidence that recognition done right plays a critical role in engaging employees and creating high-performance cultures. Our research shows it also creates enhanced feelings of trust and communication in employees. But it’s hard to benefit from the impact of gratitude if you don’t do it.
No one knows this better than Kirt Walker, president and chief operating officer of Nationwide Financial in Columbus, Ohio. I was working with Kirt and his amazing leadership team at a meeting last week when he issued this challenge: “It’s Thanksgiving. Lets make sure we thank our people.”
He then gave them a great way to accomplish the task: He asked them to consider writing a handwritten note to every direct report, expressing specifically what that employee has done to help the organization thrive. And he said it would be great to do it before Thanksgiving Day.
Kirt promised he was going to do it himself. I love it when leaders lead by example.
As Kirt knows, great service will only happen if we keep our employees engaged and focused. And a handwritten note costs almost nothing, but can be a very personal, very powerful way to convey gratitude. It is a warm conversation that is all about you, it doesn’t beep at you, distract you, or pull you away to do something else.
Letters and notes I’ve received have found their way into my journals and onto the walls around my desk. They are constant reminders of the people I work with who have become more than associates, they are now my friends. Probably my favorite note ever came from a colleague—Mike Goodson—who knew I was struggling. After telling me specifically how he thought I added value to the world, he summed up with a few lines I’ll never forget: “Chester, you aren’t just great. In the pantheon of greatness you are the greatest. You, my friend, are Spartacus.” I laughed, admittedly choked up a little, and his handwritten note is still hanging prominently on my wall years later.
Read the full article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20141111144459-39785422-the-most-underutilized-tool-in-making-people-happier-at-work
Chez Froggie 