Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Say Thanks

It's easy to get caught in the speed-matters culture of work and forget to be grateful for the effort, creativity and kindness of coworkers.

Yet with Thanksgiving just ahead, this could be the week to express appreciation -- to your boss, your assistant, a colleague who bailed you out on deadline. They deserve a big thank you and, even better, a letter highlighting what their contributions do for you, according to Mike Robbins, author of "Focus on the Good Stuff: The Power of Appreciation."

The recently published book offers advice and exercises for gratitude. Robbins, a coach and motivational speaker, suggests discovering how people want to be acknowledged -- not everyone wants a name on a plaque or profuse praise in a staff meeting. Some prefer a thank-you note, with a copy in their personnel file.

Thanks should be genuine, specific and personal -- no group e-mails or one-size-fits-all holiday gifts, Robbins said.

The all-out great worker can be appreciated almost any time. "Proactively acknowledging people for no specific reason is one of the most generous and positive things we can do for them," he writes.

-- Vickie Elmer