Say thank you

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 30, 2015

Category: Careers, Common Courtesy, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Managing Employees

I believe in saying “thank you.” When someone does something nice for me, when someone performs a job I am pleased with, or when someone helps me, I thank him or her. My employees have often expressed surprise about me thanking them for doing a good job. I thank each and every employee, at the end of each and every work day and during other at the appropriate times during the day, for a job well done. Some of them have asked me why I thank them for doing things I have asked them to do and are paying them to do. My response is that I am appreciative of their good work because without it, I would be unable to perform my job or operate my company. There are some people who believe that, by saying “thank you,” they are humbling themselves too greatly. I disagree wholeheartedly, believing instead that saying “thank you” when it is deserved fosters well being between the person who is being thanked and me, the person who is appreciative. The only thing I ask in return for saying “thank you” is a polite acknowledgment, such as “you’re welcome” or, when in Costa Rica, “con gusto.” The all too common response of “no problem” just isn’t for me and in some ways, dampens the appreciation I was trying to express. Thank YOU for reading this blog!

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 30, 2015

Category: Careers, Common Courtesy, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Managing Employees

It is interesting how some people are surprised to be sincerely thanked. “Thank you” as a reinforcement of something done and done well is a simple reward that goes a long way. I have worked for at least 2 people who rarely said thank you and, in at least 1 of those cases, it appeared to be that the person appreciated little in this world, because she had so much. The apparent lack of appreciation was sort of an entitlement behavior. But, especially in the world of work, it is important to communicate when tasks or projects are completed, especially when they are done right. As a boss, being known only for finding fault and scolding employees is unidimensional in an unhealthy way. Praise, of which saying thank you is a part, is important. Of course, there are those employees who can’t seem to do anything right – this is a very sad situation, especially when they put effort into doing the best they can. (The few employees we have had who fit that category soon left for “new ventures,” but fortunately, they are rare.) And, thanking clients verbally is important and not to be overlooked. We have encouraged our employees never to lose sight of why we are in business – our clients – and that, especially because they are paying for our help, we ALL need to thank them!

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