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Thank You.   Two little words that have tremendous power yet cost nothing to give.  It sometimes seems like Thank You is disappearing in this world where we are all so busy.   It’s human nature to speak up when something has to be fixed or changed, but when something is done right or an effort is made, we forget to say Thank You.  

Have you forgotten to say Thank You when someone deserved to hear it?  Have you observed or experienced any of these?

• a person opening a door for a stranger, who breezes right on through without a thank you.  
• a receptionist getting a glass of water and hanging up a coat for a candidate waiting for an interview with never a “thank you” spoken.  
• a senior manager calling a manager an “idiot” for contributing an idea in a meeting, rather than thanking him for his input!

Even someone who comes up with an unrealistic idea can be thanked for contributing.   That’s much more effective because it will ensure the management team doesn’t clam up and stop participating.   Maybe next time a better idea might move the company to the next level.  

Thank You is a gift that, when genuinely given, makes people feel appreciated and valued.  People who feel valued are more willing to make an effort.   A study on the power of Thank You found that waitresses who wrote a simple Thank You on food bills received 11% more in tips then those who didn’t.   

In this economy with tight cash flow, you can start your values based retention strategy with two little words.  Thank You is a powerful tool to help managers motivate and retain their best employees, especially during these times when we’re all doing more with less. 

Last week, while I was running, zoned out, and concentrating on the rhythm of my foot steps (really, I was trying to make it to the next telephone pole), a grandmother in front of me heard me coming and she moved her granddaughter and stroller out of the way so I could run by.  After I passed by, she yelled ”You’re welcome!” towards my back, bringing me back to the world of awareness and making me ashamed of my unintentional rudeness.  I wasn’t paying attention and missed an opportunity to say Thank You.    I guess we can all start by being more aware of what is going on around us whether in the workplace or elsewhere.   We can look for opportunities to say Thank You often!   Two little words that cost nothing to give and do much to make the workplace (and the world) a better and kinder place.   

Thank YOU for dropping by,

Joanne

Joanne Royce is the Founder of Royce & Associates, a Human Resources and Training Solutions consulting company.   She is committed to Creating Happy, Healthy and Productive Workplaces.  She believes in the power of “Thank You” even if she sometimes misses opportunities to use these two little words herself.