BCG Blog

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. 
Yes, it’s basketball season, but that’s not the only reason.

Thanksgiving is pure, at least in it’s celebration. 
Primarily because it isn’t diluted with the expectations of buying, or receiving, gifts.

It’s simply a time to share gratitude and appreciation for each other. 
It seems to me that we need to practice thanksgiving more regularly than once a year. 

Why Should We Care?
As a leader, I think it’s critical to have systems in place that allow team members to openly share their appreciation for each other. If it’s left to chance, expressing gratitude seems to fall victim to ‘I didn’t have time’ quite often.

I’m a big advocate for gratitude journals and writing down three things you are thankful for each day. It’s one of my daily routines. 

I love Thankful Thursdays when our team sends a text of gratitude to three people they are thankful for, reminding them why they are grateful for them. Better than a text is a handwritten letter, of course.

However, nothing beats a face-to-face thank you. It’s awkward and awesome at the same time. 

Saying “Thank You” or sharing gratitude is one of the habits Daniel Coyle identified as consistently appearing in the interactions of elite teams. I believe the reasons for this are numerous, but here are a few that standout on the teams I’ve worked with.

• Thank you affirms and encourages everyone’s contributions to the team. It helps team members see the value in their role and embrace all that it entails. This is especially true for roles outside the spotlight. Their importance to the group is highlighted.
  
• Thank you raises our awareness of other things to be grateful for. Developing the habit of expressing gratitude leads to an appreciation of more things to be grateful for. We begin to recognize the good in others rather than the bad.
  
• Thank you creates an atmosphere of serving. Teams in which gratitude is openly expressed don’t keep score or take turns, they just do. They do what needs to be done - whether it’s their job or not. And, they don’t consider it extra or overtime. They see it as their duty to the team.
  

REAL TALK - Action Steps
Here are a few systems we have in place to say “Thank You”.

• Touches 
  
  • On our team it translates to high fives and fist bumps. In your world it may look different, but I would encourage you to find a way to incorporate the concept. Hugs, pats on the back, fist bumps ... the appropriate physical contact bonds people and teams.
    

• Moments of Greatness
  
  • We take the opportunity following every competition to share core value highlights. Each team member shares something a teammate did that was exceptional in regards to our values or their specific role on the team. It’s a great time for team members in prominent roles to express their appreciation for those in non-prominent roles. 
    

• Say Thank You & I’m Sorry
  
  • It seems simple, but consistently saying ‘thank you’ and ‘I’m sorry’ is powerful for your team in two ways. First, it shows you are aware and considerate of teammates time, efforts, and feelings. Two, it embraces ownership and responsibility for things that are, and aren’t, your job. Both grow your team.
    

Saying ‘Thank you’ is one of those Slight Edge habits that Jeff Olson writes about in his book. They’re easy to do and easy not to do. Choosing to do it can change your team.

For more information on building excellence in your teams, visit us at www.bluecollargrit.com. 
We would love to know how we could help!