I just finished reading something by Andy Stanley. It mentioned the importance of remembering to say Thank You to those in our organizations. When people don't feel appreciated, they quickly become disgruntled. Whether you are a Pastor leading a church or a CEO or any other kind of leader, you have people who do stuff in your organization. A simple recognition of what they have done is a great free way to encourage them and others around them. Rather than reinvent the wheel, here is what Andy said:
Two Simple Words
The appropriate response to that kind of generosity is to say thank you. You can't possibly pay for the hundreds of hours volunteers give you, and you can't give the hours back. So as simple and trite as it may seem, it really is the only fitting response.
Four Ways For Sure
Obviously there's more to expressing gratitude than a quick thanks. People have a sincerity meter that registers empty thanks a mile away. Here are four things to keep in mind when communicating the appreciation you really feel.
Be specific. When you say thank you, include details. There is a huge difference between saying thanks and saying thanks followed by a detailed description of what you caught, saw, or are aware the other person was doing.
Be public. Over the years we have learned the value of story telling--the value of spending a few minutes in front of your leaders telling success stories that communicate vision, but more importantly, express gratitude. Public gratitude expresses a high level of value and can result in an even higher level of loyalty.
Be aware. You have to develop a mindset that looks for behavior to reward. Listen for stories two or three levels away in your organization and call or write to say thank you. Even though you didn't observe the act, you communicate, "I didn't see it, but somebody else saw it and they are talking about it. What you did is significant."
Be honest. Don't say you liked something you didn't. Remember, what gets rewarded gets repeated. Also, don't attribute something to someone that she didn't really do. Rather than being encouraging and motivating, you're communicating that you really weren't paying attention. So when you say thank you, be honest and don't overdo it.
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Wednesday, February 18, 2009
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1 comment:
Hey Burl,
Truly it is important to thank not only those who voluntarily serve, but those who lead as well. Clearly we all have an "outstanding debt of gratitude".
However, looking at this from the other point of view... for those who serve, I think it is imperative not to get caught up in the "thanks". We must serve Christ simply because He is worthy to be served, and we shouldn't even care if someone else acknowledges that we did something or not, as long as we know we have pleased Him whose Name is above all names. I am reminded of this passage which sums up the attitude we are to have as we approach service to Christ:
LK 17:7 "Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, `Come along now and sit down to eat'? 8 Would he not rather say, `Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'? 9 Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.' "
The bottom line for those who serve is this... are we serving to please God, in some small sense of gratitude and love, to say Thank You Jesus for saving me? Or are we serving to please man in hopes of being honored by them... if we say it is to please God then why are our feelings hurt when someone doesn't say "Thank You"?
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