Boost Your Success By Thanking People​

“Approval and validation are often far more valuable than material rewards and are usually worked for far harder than mere pay.” — L. Ron Hubbard

In a Gallup Organization poll of 2,000 workers, 69% said praise and recognition from their bosses is more motivating than money. Four out of five workers said recognition or praise motivates them to do a better job. Despite this, most workers feel they are not properly recognized nor praised.

Studies by the US Army show soldiers improve their performance 90% of the time when praised and 30% of the time when criticized. But officers in the US Army still prefer to criticize and rarely praise anyone.

This principle proved itself once with a failing business that could not pay its staff. Instead of laying off employees or borrowing money to cover payroll, the new owner used validation and acknowledgment as “pay.”

Every staff member stayed on board without financial pay for nearly two months. The morale of the group was tremendous. The operation became profitable and the staff was rewarded with money.

Thanking employees is an effective management technique. Every manager and executive must know how to show appreciation to deserving staff members. Good acknowledgments encourage better behavior and increased production.

Workers can boost their success by properly thanking their bosses and coworkers. If your leader and teammates do better, you do better. For example, successful sports teammates are constantly approving and encouraging each other, the louder the better! Enthusiasm is contagious.

You can thank people in many ways.

Eight Ways to Thank People

1. Verbally and directly thank the person. Stop the person, look them in the eye, get their full attention. “Pat, thanks for straightening out those files.”

2. Explain why you appreciate what the person did. Be specific. “I liked how you used the colored folders to make it easier for us to find files.” “I’m amazed how you got little Bill to calm down and clean up his room.” “Ever since you upgraded my computer, I get my work done much faster!”

3. Expand your compliment. “The way you organize everything really makes it nice to work around you.” “Ever since you came home, everyone in the family gets along better.” “If you help me with my computer in the future, I’ll get a raise!”

4. Give indirect praise. For example, compliment one person about another person. “Bob sure did a good job fixing my car!” “You know, Mary is one of the best friends I’ve ever had.” “I think our boss is a fantastic manager.”

5. Defend the person. “You said Chris is too much of a perfectionist, but no one can organize things like she does.” “If one of us was the boss, we’d have to be tough too.” “Maybe you should say that to his face and not behind his back.”

6. Ask for the person’s help, opinions or ideas. Asking for advice shows that you value the person’s intelligence. “Where is the best place to eat lunch?” “Could you give me your ideas about the parking problem?” “Any ideas of how I can earn more pay around here?”

7. Compliment their achievement. Become happy, even excited, about the person’s accomplishment. “This dinner is really fantastic!” “That fish tank has never looked cleaner!” “Mrs. Jones was very happy after you met with her.”

8. Physical contact. Handshakes, shoulder pats and hugs can communicate your appreciation quickly and effectively.

Give it a try and thank someone today!

Bonus Tip

Showing your gratitude reduces stress and improves your mood.

For example, you’re having a rotten day. Instead of flopping down to watch a show, you look for things for which you are grateful. “I might have lost money today, but I’m grateful for this great weather we’re having.” “Tonya might not want me to call her, but I’m grateful that Jill and Chris enjoy my calls.”

Within seconds, you are having a great day.

Benefits of Being Grateful

1. Gratitude strengthens relationships. When you and another person thank each other, you cannot help but smile and like that person a bit more.

2. Gratitude puts situations into perspective. For example, “I feel so angry that my tax bill is so high this year . . . yet, I am grateful that my income is higher than ever before.”

3. Gratitude helps you reduce your need for MORE. “I sure want a new boat . . . of course, I haven’t spent much time in my RV, swimming pool or vacation condo. Forget the boat!”

4. Gratitude helps you deal with fear. For example, you feel panicked about a legal problem that is not going well. During your next call, you thank your lawyer from the bottom of your heart. You feel much better.

5. Being grateful improves your view of the future. Just ask yourself, “What do I have now that will help me in the future?”