Appreciation

How do you show it?

How do you let your staffers, your clients, and the other people in your life know that you see and value what they do?

Consider ways to authentically and effectively let people know you appreciate them.

• Be a good person. Don’t mock or ridicule people, either to their faces or behind their backs.

• Pay your staffers fairly. Make sure your compensation and benefits are at least in-line with your region and industry. Reward good performance and above-and-beyond efforts with raises, bonuses, and/or promotions.

• Give them praise. Say good things authentically, and thank people for what they do for you.

• Tip generously, especially in the current environment, in which servers are likely to be overworked because establishments are short-staffed. Tip at least 20% in restaurants, and remember to leave a tip for the person who cleans your hotel room.

• Consider “thank you for your business” gifts for your clients.

• Don’t leave the benevolence at the office. Make sure everyone from your spouse/partner and your kids to your postal carrier and Amazon delivery person knows you see them, value them, and like what they do.

First off, this just makes the world a better place for everyone around you. Secondly, it benefits YOU—there are completely selfish reasons for doing this, too. People you treat well will go the extra mile for you and make YOUR life better… and no one will be tempted to spit in your food at the restaurant.

I know. Ew. But I wanted to make the point salient to people might NOT be inclined to be nice as their default. The sweet people are already sweet.

(Photo by Nicholas Bartos on Unsplash)