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Issue #31: November 14, 2003
To our readers:
There is a misconception among some managers that it isn't wise to say "thank you" to people who are just doing their jobs. First, because they get paid for their work and that's "thank you" enough. Second, because they might use it as an excuse to slack off.
If you catch yourself in this kind of reasoning, ask yourself these questions: Does getting a healthy paycheck render me oblivious to expressions of appreciation? When I am thanked, appreciated, or complimented for doing my job, does it make me want to do it less well? If my boss says, "Thanks for getting your reports in on time every week," do I feel the sudden urge to turn the next report in late?
Not only do thank you's and signs of appreciation not cause people to work less, failing to say thank you and show appreciation can cause people to lose heart and perform less productively. Most of us have heard someone say "there's no point in working hard to get my job done because no one really cares," or "why should I bust my rear getting to work on time every day when nobody notices," or "what's the point of doing my job well when I don't get any more appreciation than Sally does, and she wastes half her day!"
Think of expressions of thanks and appreciation as positive reinforcement, and remember that positive reinforcement tends to perpetuate that which is positively reinforced. Signs of appreciation also tell people they are on the right track, which encourages them to continue in the same vein.
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Four Tips for Getting More of What you Want By Saying Thank You for What You Get
1. Thank your employees for doing their jobs.
Pay attention to what your employees do and thank them for those things you appreciate, e.g. getting the allotted work done, making it to work in extreme weather, being gracious to a troublesome customer, alerting you quickly to impending problems.
2. Thank your colleagues for doing their jobs.
Ditto #1. Let your colleagues know you appreciate their providing the information you need; responding to your e-mails in a timely fashion; getting to meetings on time; staying on track in discussions.
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3. Thank your boss.
Let your boss know what you appreciate about him or her: the clarity of instructions she provides; the efficient way he runs a meeting; the flexibility she allows you in planning your day; the confidence he expresses in you when he asks for your suggestions.
4. Thank your children, your spouse, your roommate, your friends.
Even the most recalcitrant teenager will do something you appreciate! Notice it and thank him for it. Thank your spouse for working hard each day at the office, for cooking dinner, for squeezing your hand in a sign of affection. Thank your roommate for taking out the trash.
Thank you for reading Brief Tips. And have a splendid Thanksgiving holiday.
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