A few weeks ago, I came into my office and found a little picture (see photo) on my desk. No note, no explanation, just a smiley guy greeting me that morning.
I leaned him up against my computer monitor and caught myself smiling oodles of times throughout the day.
This little gift reminded me, once again, how meaningful the little things are!
As leaders, we need to think about little ways that we can bring joy, meaning, and a sense of appreciation to our teams. Some of my executive coaching clients shared the following examples:
A sticky note, affixed to a report, that says, “Thanks for your extra work on this – I really appreciate it!”
A restaurant gift card sent to the employee’s home, via snail mail, in essence thanking the entire family.
Taking responsibility – standing up for the team – when necessary, even (especially) when it’s difficult.
Genuine words of praise – even just a simple “Thank You.” We likely don’t say this nearly as often as we think it.
A small, personalized gift such as a book by her favorite author or a manicure gift card for someone putting in extra hours. One of my clients knitted a scarf for each of her team members for Christmas, using colors she noticed each of them wore frequently!
Your time. Inviting a team member out for coffee, without a specific agenda, can make him feel valued and important. You can learn a lot about your team through these one-on-one interactions, too.
Year after year, studies show that employees don’t leave for the reasons we often suspect (salary, benefits, etc). They leave because they don’t feel appreciated.
The picture my youngest left on my desk likely wasn’t given with any motive, other than perhaps thinking I would smile when I found it. Children can be wonderful examples of altruistic generosity, can’t they?
In what small ways will you show your appreciation for those you lead? What little gesture will you make today rather than waiting until “the perfect time”?
Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches business owners and leaders to get unstuck and reach meaningful results with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action. Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com and follow Dr. Christi on Facebook and Twitter.