November 22, 2023 Season of Gratitude: Incorporate Thankfulness into the Workplace
While this is considered the season of gratitude, offering gratitude and thanks to employees is always a good idea. The American Psychological Association found that 93% of employees “who reported feeling valued said that they are motivated to do their best at work, and 88% reported feeling engaged.” Additionally, the same study found that only 21% of the respondents who felt valued planned to seek a new job in the next year.
Gratitude may be good for the bottom line and aid in improving employee retention but, most importantly, it’s the right thing to do. No one likes to feel unappreciated or overlooked. And, conversely, most people respond well to some kind of recognition or gratitude.
So, how can you incorporate thankfulness into everyday business practices? Try these 5 approaches?
Make It Personal
Rather than thanking someone for their hard work or all their “time and effort,” it’s better to get specific. When you personalize your feedback, you demonstrate that you’re truly paying attention to that person and their contributions. For example:
“Thank you, Pete, for stepping up last week to help us complete the ABC Project on time. Your efforts may have helped salvage our relationship with that company.”
OR: “Nan, I’ve noticed you helping the new hire and I really appreciate you taking him under your wing. I can already see an improvement in his work.”
Avoid Email
It’s fine to send a note of thanks over email, but it’s better to use a more personal approach. Pull someone aside after a meeting to thank them, give a phone call, or write a handwritten note. The last method is one of my favorites, since it shows a little extra effort and it is something the recipient can hang onto.
Reward and Recognize
Some instances call for a little extra thanks. If an individual or team have gone above and beyond for a project, or have been a top performer(s) for a long time, it probably makes sense to offer recognition in some way. This could be as simple as a shoutout during a team meeting or as formal as an award. You might also consider giving above-and-beyond employees a monetary reward, such as a gift card or a higher bonus (whatever makes sense, given the circumstances and your company’s policies/norms).
Encourage Peer-to-Peer Recognition
Encouraging employees to show gratitude towards their peers creates a positive and supportive work environment. Consider implementing a peer-to-peer recognition program where employees can nominate and acknowledge their colleagues for their outstanding work. This not only boosts morale but also fosters teamwork and camaraderie among employees.
Celebrate Milestones and Achievements
Take the time to celebrate milestones and achievements, both big and small. Whether it’s a project completion, a sales target reached, or an employee’s work anniversary, acknowledge and celebrate these accomplishments. This can be done through a team lunch, a personalized note, or a small gift to show appreciation and recognize their hard work.
Incorporating thankfulness into business practices is never a bad idea. To get started on cultivating a culture of gratitude, start small but keep up the momentum. You never know what kind of impact a sincere gesture of thanks might have on someone.
MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE.
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE.
Tags: give thanks to employees, incorporate gratitude into workplace, margaret smith leadership, Margaret Smith LP of Insights, thank you at work, workplace gratitude
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- Posted under Better Business, Leadership
November 15, 2023 Fall Networking Events: How to Stand Out
Soon, the holidays will hit and things will likely get hectic. Before that happens, you may want to squeeze in a networking event or two. Whether you’re looking to shift career paths next year, gain a few more connections, or share your skillset, it could pay to intentionally network with others. But how can you stand out? And how can you establish meaningful connections that will actually lead to something?
This fall, try following these 4 networking tips:
Focus on the “Give”
The holidays should be a time of giving back, and networking events are no different. If you’re only thinking about yourself and what you can gain, that will likely come across in your interactions. Instead, think about your skills, talents, and what you can give to others. When you focus on the “give” instead of the “get,” you build trust and demonstrate that you care about others and their needs/predicaments. Additionally, you establish that you could be a valuable partner to help in certain areas (which could lead to landing additional projects or even finding a new job).
Prep Your Intro
It’s a good idea to prepare an introductory message for when you meet new people AND practice this intro until it comes naturally. Rather than writing a “pitch,” come up with a few lines about yourself and your skills/talents. Try to make your intro stand out in some way (for instance, say, “Hi, I’m Kim. I write headlines that grab attention and drive engagement,” rather than, “Hi, I’m Kim. I work in marketing.”). Be genuine and authentic in your intro, and make sure it aligns with your personal brand and the impression you want to leave on others.
Be Present and Engaged
When attending networking events, it’s important to be fully present and engaged in the conversations you have. Put away your phone and avoid distractions, so that you can give your full attention to the person you’re talking to. Ask open-ended questions to encourage meaningful conversations and actively listen to what the other person is saying. Show genuine interest in their background, experiences, and challenges.
Connect and Follow Up
After the event (or during, if appropriate), make sure to connect with the people you met on LinkedIn or other professional networking platforms. Personalize your connection requests and remind them of your conversation at the event. This will help solidify the connection and make it easier to follow up later.
In addition to connecting online, don’t forget to follow up with the individuals you met. Send a brief email or message within a week or two, expressing your gratitude for their time and reiterating something you discussed. This shows that you value the connection and are interested in maintaining it.
Remember, networking is not just about collecting business cards or making superficial connections. It’s about building relationships and adding value to others. By taking the time to prepare and going in with an open mind, you can make the most of your time and effort when attending these events.
MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE.
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE.
Tags: connect with others networking, fall networking tips, improve networking skills, margaret smith career coach, Margaret Smith LP of Insights, stand out at networking event
November 8, 2023 Finding Balance Amid Holiday Hubbub
For many people, this is the busiest, most hectic time of year. Even though we are expected to be joyful and cheery during our holiday parties and family gatherings, it can all feel like a bit much. Between cooking and baking, cleaning, buying gifts, AND attempting to accomplish end-of-the-year work projects, you might need a holiday from the holidays!
How can you achieve some kind of balance (and the occasional break) amid the holiday hubbub? How can you check off everything on your to-do list and find time for yourself? I suggest approaching this time of year with intentionality. Here are 5 ways to do so:
Delegate What You Can
You don’t have to take on everything yourself. In some cases, it makes sense to delegate little projects or tasks to others (as long as that person has the time and necessary skills). Ask your spouse or another family member to do some of the holiday gift shopping. See if your tech-savvy co-worker has the capacity to put together that spreadsheet. Ask if anyone else is interested in spearheading the office holiday party/garden club gift exchange/nativity pageant. You never know if others’ have the time, capacity, or interest unless you ask.
Settle For Second-Best
It can be helpful to reject the mentality that everything has to be “perfect.” Your apple pie doesn’t have to be homemade. Your house doesn’t have to be flawlessly clean and decorated for guests. You don’t have to put on a Pinterest-worthy holiday spread. Settling for second-best can help relieve the pressure to have everything perfect and allow you to focus on what really matters: spending time with loved ones and enjoying the holiday season.
Say No
Occasionally, it makes sense to just say no. You don’t have to attend every holiday party or event, especially if it causes too much stress or takes away from your own well-being. Learn to prioritize your time and energy by saying no to things that don’t align with your values or bring you joy. It’s okay to set boundaries and protect your own mental and emotional health during this busy season.
Schedule “You Time”
If you’re like many people, if it doesn’t make it onto the calendar, it simply isn’t happening. Set aside time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation, whether it’s reading a book, scheduling a massage, going for a walk in nature, or practicing mindfulness. By building self-care into your calendar, you ensure that you have dedicated time to recharge and rejuvenate amidst the chaos.
Practice Gratitude
In the midst of the holiday rush, take a moment to practice gratitude. Reflect on the things you are grateful for and acknowledge the positive aspects of your life. This can help shift your focus away from the stress and busyness and bring a sense of calm and contentment. Consider jotting down things and people you are grateful for, or sharing your gratitude with loved ones during holiday gatherings. Cultivating gratitude can help you find balance and appreciate the true meaning of the holiday season.
Finding balance during the holiday season is not only essential for our wellbeing, it simply makes sense. Why go through all the effort of planning get togethers and doing all the little seasonal “extras” if you’re not going to enjoy the moment. Embrace imperfection and focus on what truly matters: connecting with loved ones and enjoying the holiday spirit. As you continue through this busy time, prioritize self-care and gratitude. By doing so, you can find balance and, as they say, “make the season bright.”
MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE.
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE.
Tags: balance during holiday season, calm during crazy holidays, deal with holiday hubbub, find balance during hectic holidays, Margaret Smith life coach, Margaret Smith minneapolis
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- Posted under Advice from a Life Coach
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