Amongst all the pressures and deadlines of office life, two short words have the power to transform how many of us are feeling. A simple ‘thank you’ can do so much good that it’s the subject of an annual celebration called, suitably, Thank You Day.
Thank You Day started in 2020 to say thanks to all those struggling during COVID-19. Major employers are involved throughout Britain such as ITV, the NHS, National Lottery and many more. But the workplace is just one area where thanking others brings so much benefit. The day helps to connect people who may not otherwise speak even though they live so close together.
That’s why we think it’s a day worth celebrating. We look at the benefits of giving thanks within your workplace with a few tips to spread the goodwill a little gratitude can bring.
The power of saying thank you at work
We’ve all felt the lift in spirits a little recognition and acknowledgement can bring. The most notable example was the weekly ‘clap for heroes’ during the Covid pandemic. As word of this reached the hospitals and emergency services they will have realised how vital their work was.
In our own workplaces, saying thank you can bring:
- A boost in confidence – it helps to know when we are working well and making a difference.
- A greater sense of teamwork – since saying thanks helps people understand they are important to the team.
- Better productivity – thanks creates a greater sense of engagement.
- Improved mental health – as studies show thanks increases happiness.
- Better levels of retention – your people are more likely to stay if they feel recognised and appreciated for the work they do.
- A more positive work culture and employer brand – this is effectively the combined benefit of all of the above.
Ways to say thank you
If there’s one aspect of saying ‘thank you’ that should really need no explanation it’s that you have to mean it. There’s nothing worse than an insincere gesture.
You can say thank you privately or in public. A private thank you allows for a more intimate conversation with each other and can be delivered at any time. A public thank you is usually given with the entire team or company where they are all recognised.
The way we say thank you will vary with our personal style of delivery and the relationship we have with the person being thanked. The following suggestions all need to come with your own interpretation.
- Give the reason – don’t let the person wonder, give the specifics as to what they did to gain your thanks. Not the least, this will encourage them to repeat what they did if possible.
- Share the gratitude – are there others who may want to get involved? A head of department, leader or client might like to pay their thanks and this can be particularly motivational.
- Celebrate as a team – thanks doesn’t have to be an individual thing. Often, success comes through team work and remember that, while some individuals may like the light shone on them, there is no ‘I’ in team.
- Develop a culture of thanks – regular feedback and appraisal offer opportunities to hear about actions that deserve thanks.
In conclusion
Thank You Day is just one of many awareness days that put topics that make work a better place in the spotlight. It may seem almost trivial to have a day dedicated to something we should all be doing – but when you consider the benefits, it becomes a powerful aid to productivity, engagement and retention.
This year’s Thank You Day is on Sunday, July 2nd. Over 15 million people have taken part over the past three years. Find out more details about events here:
Photo by Simon Maage on Unsplash
