A simple ‘thank you’ goes a long way

I have been watching more sporting events recently than I have in the past. The NCAA women’s and men’s tournaments are concluding. I have watched golf matches, a Formula 1 race, NASCAR races, the recent Winter Olympics and other sporting events. What I have noticed is the number of winners who have voiced their thanks to their crews, caddies, players, etc.

In business there are winners and losers every day. When you or your organization have a success, how often do you thank your teammates?

A “thank you” is a courtesy that was learned, for most, while very young. However, it is my observation that the simple recognition to someone for doing something for our benefit is becoming absent in the work environment.

The absence of a “thank you” might be attributed to a number of causes. The lack of face-to-face engagement might be one. Your understanding of the workflow, to be able to identify all of the departments who contributed to the success, might be another. The pace of execution might not lend itself to a timely word of thanks. However, it has been my experience that if you circle back around to someone and remind them of the event that generated the “thank you,” a smile of appreciation usually follows.

One excuse we cannot use in the lack of ways to say “thank you” is in our electronic communications. In checking, I found numerous emoji characters stating or representing “thank you.” How many have you received lately?

There are those reading this and thinking, “Why do I have to thank someone for doing their job?” Fair question, to which I reply that in the performance of each of our jobs we have some discretion. Discretion in one’s job can come in the form of timing, levels of acceptance, attitude in the performance of our jobs and others. The discretion factors that were exercised in the proper manner that resulted in your success is worthy of a “thank you.”

If I am out shoveling snow and the town snowplow comes through, I routinely offer a thumbs-up to the driver. Even though he or she has just plowed me in, I also know that I will have access to the roadways in the few minutes thanks to the plow driver. On holidays, such as today, I thank those service workers who are making my day better even though they are doing their jobs.

This month, with the beginning of spring, offer more thanks to your team for jobs well done. Individual thanks, where appropriate, is best. If you are closing out a successful first quarter, a general thanks to the team can go a long way. And finally, find an emoji that suits your style and include in your electronic correspondence.

I don’t believe anyone ever lost by saying “thank you.”