3 Ways a Little Thanks Can Go a Long Way

With the holiday season upon us, gratitude fills the air.

The holidays present a great opportunity for leadership to spread some cheer! Below are three tips to show your appreciation and have some fun with your team.

Tip #1: Take Time Off on the Clock

The end of the year can be a hectic one filled with deadlines and quotas. The idea of taking time out of people’s already jammed packed schedules during the day might seem daunting; however, the break can actually rejuvenate a team’s spirit and make this last push more enjoyable.

Take your team out to lunch or throw a holiday potluck- kick back and enjoy each other’s company. This will remind your team that you realize they are working hard and you value what they do.

Tip #2:  Write It Down

There isn’t anything quite like receiving a handwritten note. The time it takes to pick out the card, write the message, and even the physical act of handing it to your recipient shows you value and care about them. There’s not always time throughout the year to verbalize to your employees how thankful you are for what they do. This is the perfect time to put pen to paper with what you really want to say.

Tip #3: Have a Conversation

There are times when talk is cheap- this is not one of them! The mentality toward the end of the year can be to put your head down and finish strong. While it’s important to not lose sight of your team’s deliverables – their hard work is worth mentioning.

If you have regular meetings with your employees, take time to verbalize why you appreciate them. Better yet, before the meeting spend a little time and look at the projects they’ve been working on so you can bring specific examples of ways they’ve impressed you this year. If you don’t typically have these one-on-one meetings, ask if you can schedule one with your employees and use the time to boost their holiday spirit.

As a leader, have you thought about how you can show your team appreciation this holiday season?