It's an obvious and fitting time of year to discuss "giving thanks." It's certainly a time of reflection as we pause and think of all that we are thankful for, both personally and professionally. In business, the #1 thing we should be thankful for is our customers. It should come as no surprise to you that we are thankful for them, but do they feel appreciated? A simple "thank you" to them has become such a habit and ordinary part of our scripts and emails, so do you really think they pause when they hear or read those words and think, "Wow, they really appreciate me and the business I am giving them"? 9.5 times out of 10, the answer is no.
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In the beginning, I thought inviting people to lunch was a good idea. Then at one of the lunches, I found out that an individual had worked the overnight shift, changed out of uniform, and caught a couple of hours of sleep prior to joining me for lunch. This person didn't have enough time to go home and come back for our lunch, and didn't want to miss the opportunity to accept a lunch invitation from the CEO. From that day forward, I knew that I had to have meals with staff members at rotating hours to fit into their schedules, not into mine. Even to listen, you have to make yourself available to the logistic needs of others.
Appreciation, recognition, encouragement: ARE. Together they make up a cost-free, fully sustainable fuel, one that builds self-confidence and self-esteem, boosts individual and team performance, and keeps an organization running cleanly and smoothly. ARE is more powerful than the fuels that make engines roar and space shuttles soar, because it propels human energy and motivation. And unlike costly, nonrenewable fuels like oil and gas, its supply is inexhaustible. You can give out ARE all day long, at home and at work, and wake up the next morning with a full tank. In fact, the more we use, the more there is, because every time people receive some ARE they discover more of their own internal supply and start giving away the overflow.