Regardless of how hard the last year has been, there are still so many things to be thankful for.
Everyone thanks differently, but leaders must thank bigger and never leave doubt of their appreciation. Take time to do it right. It’s so important.
Here are 10 different ways to say thank you this Thanksgiving:
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1. Walk up and say it
It can be as simple as walking up to a team member and telling them how thankful you are for them. You can never say it enough. If you are really thankful, don’t hesitate to say what chokes you up. Be brave. Be thankful. Be vocal.
2. Write a handwritten note
I hate writing handwritten notes, so if you ever get one from me you know I am thankful. I doubt that I’m unique in that way. In a computerized world, handwritten notes will stand out.
3. Record a video
If you’d like to thank one person (YouTube example) or a whole group (Facebook example), video is a personal way to say thank you when you can’t be with them in person.
4. Give your time
Giving someone your time is giving them nearly the ultimate gift.
Time is money. Time is precious. Say thank you by giving them your time and attention. Share a bottle of wine, write them a Linkedin recommendation, help them move furniture, introduce them to someone who can help them, or just listen.
Whatever you do, make sure it isn’t distracted time. Put the cell phones, text messages, or emails on hold. Your attention will show how thankful you are.
5. Share their creation with the world
In a digital world, sharing is caring. Thank someone who writes, records, or builds something by tweeting, sharing, or blogging about their creations.
6. Give a personal token of your appreciation
I hate gifts that are boring, thoughtless, or sterile. Giving someone a considerate gift says you actually thought about them. It says you are really thankful.
7. Blog about your thankfulness
Although it was general in nature, last Thanksgiving I wrote a “Thank You Notes” blog post and emailed it to the people I was thinking about when writing it. It gave me a chance to demonstrate how strongly I felt, without making it into a public circus. Not everyone is a fan of the limelight.
8. Make them something
If you have any particular skill at crafting nice things, don’t hesitate to bake, build, write, or paint them something as a thank you. Just make sure it’s actually nice.
9. Share a meal
Take them out to lunch or dinner. Breaking bread is a great bonding experience and a wonderful way to say thank you. Some of my best memories are great meals or a bottle of good wine.
10. Pay it forward
The movie “Pay it Forward” was interesting and helped showcase what might be possible if people paid good deeds forward multiple times. If you are thankful to someone you can’t contact, pay it forward.
In a changing world, there is little certainty for what the future holds. What should leaders invest in? Invest in relationships.
Say thank you.
Have a thankful night,
Aaron@Biebert
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