Most of us spend more time at work with co-workers than our own family and good friends and yet, work colleagues are typically the last people we tend to recognize. What do you believe is the single biggest motivator of people in business?
- Money?
- Trips?
- Cars?
- Raises?
- Promotions?
While these can be helpful, the fact is, the single most meaningful form of motivation remains: being acknowledged and feeling appreciated for our work as valuable.
This is a basic human need, yet surveys show the workforce is typically the last place we encounter even a simple “thank you.”
Interestingly, in high context cultures such as China and Japan, the word “thank you” (shi shi) is never said enough! Not surprisingly, when people are acknowledged for their good work and thanked for contributions they are found to be 50% more effective the world over!
The Power of Saying Thank You
Simply saying “thank you” triggers the happy hormone dopamine which stimulates the brain and tells the brain you are happy, motivating you to do more, to experience more happiness – while at the same time, makes others more likely to help again in the future as you are quietly ingratiating yourself to them.
For example, when we thank someone for their time now, they are more likely to be generous with their time later. Further, being generous with our time makes us feel like we actually have more time. When we give of ourselves, give our time and do for others, this makes us feel pretty great, as well.
People who give their ‘time’ feel more useful, capable, confident and effective which enhances their own productivity.
9 Ways to Thank Someone in the Workplace
- Offer your help.
- Extend a compliment.
- Offer unexpected praise.
- Give someone a smile.
- Give a gift of appreciation for no particular reason at all.
- Acknowledge others.
- Publicity acknowledge others who helped you get to a pivotal moment.
- Thank those behind the scenes and show them their work is seen.
- Write a thank you note.
Personal relationships are intrinsic to business, community and family bonds. The individuals we encounter every day are not there by chance. These people are there to help us weather our storms, help sharpen and shape us.
Be Better Together
I can tell you my greatest growth has come from challenging times and those people who have linked arms with me and held me accountable. We are better together and meant to work together, respect each other and treat each other with appreciation, dignity, caring and kindness.
Everyone falls, and when we do, others are there to help us stand. To lead a successful life, you need to realize those people who are important and those with whom you feel are worth developing strong relationships. Make special note of those who are smarter, more accomplished, more positive! Always play Up in life and strive to develop strong relationships and form a community. It’s as much about what you give as what you receive.
Reach out of the ‘self’ zone and consciously acknowledge and encourage others daily. In so doing, you yourself become encouraged. Studies show we are our happiest – not when we get a gift or go on vacation, however, our emotional happiness is tied in to when we are helpful. Being helpful gives us the greatest sense of happiness.
In fact, they call it, “Helpful High,” a euphoric feeling. Look around and you will see people with whom you want to invest and be a part of your life. We can all help sharpen and shape each other.
The Roots of the California Redwoods
There is a wonderful story about the redwood tree in California. These trees grow up to 350 feet. What is interesting is their roots are very shallow, only about five and one half (5 ½) feet underground. One would think that with their extraordinary height they would require extremely deep roots.
Interestingly, the redwood tree’s roots do not grow deep, they find the other trees’ roots and begin to intermingle their roots and in so doing, find nutrition with one another, as their roots are so intermingled, they hold each other up.
In fact, a tree in the middle of all those trees can die of old age and still stand for hundreds of years because it is so intermingled with the other trees. By finding its strength from being interwoven with the other trees and their roots, blowing winds, torrential rains and severe drought will never threaten their stability.
If we could be as united in our lives is the redwood trees, I believe we could withstand and weather any storm or drought because we are not only helping hold one another up, we are giving nourishment and strength to one another.
Conclusion
Consider who you are invested in, who you are standing with and to whom you are giving precious time.
When you reach out to others and commingle your roots, you give others your most precious commodities – the gift of appreciation, time, energy, strength – you make a difference.
When you entwine your life with someone else and you invest in them, I believe that’s when you will stand strong, stand high and will be able to withstand the storms of this life.
