In my role I constantly receive feedback from folks on all sorts of things, but perhaps one of the most disheartening things I hear is when I’m approached by a support professional who says they feel unappreciated in their role.
I know that in the throes of a growing business and the two-stepping, double-time pace that that growth can require, the simple “thank you” can get lost in the shuffle. But those two words hold great power, and when that power is untapped and unused, the wealth behind them lays in waste.
I like to use the example of a new dating relationship to illustrate my point a little. In that beginning “courtship” phase, we’re so quick to lavish our partner with compliments and praise on everything they do, but then over time we settle into routines and those once praise-worthy traits become the expected norm and we take each other for granted.
The same is true in our business relationships. When we first bring on a new team member and they’re just rocking out everything they touch, we’re quick to throw out lines like “I couldn’t do this without your help” or “your contribution is vital to our success,” etc., but then, just like in dating, over time we take our team members and their hard work for granted.
People want to know that they’re doing good work for you. They need to hear those words of gratitude and appreciation. For some people, a word of thanks can mean more than any dollar amount they receive in their paychecks. I find this especially to be true with support professionals. The need to be told that the work they do is of value.
So stop right now in the midst of reading this blog and take a mental inventory of the last time you said thank you to your team… If you can’t remember when that was, IT’S BEEN TOO LONG!
Pick up the phone, send an email, but get those “thank yous” out to your team, stat! Set yourself a reminder if need be. If you’re pleased with what they’re doing, make sure they know, and if money and circumstances permit, throw in something extra for them! It doesn’t have to be grandiose, maybe a gift certificate to a spa day or maybe a restaurant certificate for them and their spouse, but tokens of appreciation are invaluable.
Of all the things that could get lost in the hustle and bustle of this business world we live in, don’t let your gratitude for the team that serves and supports you be one of them!
(Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.)
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