The Thanksgiving holiday is right around the corner, and that got us thinking about the important but under-appreciated role that thankfulness plays in the workplace. In all sorts of meaningful ways, exhibiting thankfulness helps to boost team morale and motivate your team. If you are trying to develop the kind of cohesive, inspired, and committed workforce that helps businesses thrive, making thankfulness a priority can help. Here are just a few of the ways you can get started this holiday season:
Show Your Appreciation
Do your employees know how thankful you are for their hard work? Simply telling your team members how valuable they are, how much they contribute to your business goals and office culture, and how excited you are that they are a part of the company’s future has a powerful effect. Try to single out each individual for praise, and make sure that it is a personalized message and not a stock sentiment that you repeat to everyone.
Give a Gift
Kind words are great but actually rewarding your team members for a job well done has an even stronger effect. Consider giving out gifts, bonuses, or other appealing reqards as a way to display your thankfulness. It could be something as simple as having an employee appreciation party or giving everyone an unexpected three-day weekend. When you sacrifice something for your team it makes them feel truly appreciated.
Consider Your Incentives
Many team motivation tools are based around incentives – giving top performing teams/individuals special privileges or rewards. And while these can be very effective, they make anyone that didn’t land in the top spot feel like their contribution was unappreciated or unrecognized. Any strategy you put into place to show your employees how thankful you are should apply to everyone equally.
Make it Ongoing
Thankfulness is a natural topic to think about at this time of year, but it’s a sentiment worth expressing throughout the year. Make sure you don’t wait until next November to tell your team thank you. Conversely, don’t make it something that follows a strict, predictable schedule. Try to approach the process organically, ensure that no one is excluded, and that big achievements/accomplishments get the appreciation they deserve.
Showing your team how thankful you are really is a powerful morale booster. Plus, it helps you form closer relationships with the people you count on most. Take some time out of your work week and let everyone on your team know much you value them. All of us here at The Squires Group hope that you and everyone in your office has a happy Thanksgiving.
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