It’s Thanksgiving. I really like this holiday because it reminds us to look at all of our accomplishments and the benefits we enjoy rather than focusing on our disappointments. I try to do that every other day as well, but it can be hard sometimes and Thanksgiving focuses attention on gratefulness.
What are the benefits of remembering our blessings? When we focus on positive attributes and outcomes, we will be more resilient during stressful times, more likely to persist when we encounter obstacles, and we generate creative options in response to future challenges because we are more confident and feel more willing to take risks. And these benefits extend to an organization when members of the group remember to thank the people with whom they collaborate. Small acts of appreciation can yield huge returns overall.
Thanking Collaborators
Who should you thank and when should you thank them? Just as there can be too few complements, sometimes they become too easy and that will seem disingenuous. To foster commitment and reinforce performance, contributors need to feel appreciated but not patronized. Inflated, insincere complements seem condescending and imply disrespect rather than esteem. Complements must be authentic and scaled to fit the accomplishment. Give complements often but be honest.
Routine activities deserve casual thanks. Successful outcomes for larger efforts merit more significant kinds of recognition. For instance, following through on a task, responsiveness to non-routine requests for assistance, and thoughtful courtesies deserve simple acknowledgements like a verbal thank you, email, or short personalized casual note. More significant deeds merit more public kinds of recognition and rewards that are customized to the supporter. Enterprise-wide thank yous, bonuses and promotions are commonly given to show appreciation for important contributions. Just keep in mind that, in many cases, reinforcements that are less substantial will be just as powerful. People just need to feel respected and valued.
So, I give thanks to everyone who has added to my life. Without you, I wouldn’t be able to be the person I want to be. I appreciate all those people who challenge my thinking, help me accomplish my projects or provide moral support. Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
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