WHILE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM ASSUMES A PAYCHECK SUFFICES FOR A COMMENDABLE JOB, RESEARCH UNVEILS A MORE NUANCED REALITY. JEFF HADEN, SPEAKER, AND EDITOR FOR INC. MAGAZINE, UNRAVELS THE ELUSIVE ELEMENT THAT SKYROCKETS PRODUCTIVITY AND LOYALTY, TRANSCENDING MONETARY COMPENSATION.
“A lot of people I know that run businesses is that there's this assumption that if I've hired you and I pay you that's my way of saying thank you because you've done your job I've given you money in return, that’s the thanks. There are surveys that show that basically nine out of 10 people say that they would like to be thanked more often at work. So the key to that though, is that it can't just be the perfunctory…I walk by your desk and I say, ‘Hey, thanks for all the hard work’ and I move on. Because that feels like I have checked off some management box on my list that says thank your people.”
RESEARCH SHOWS THAT SUPERFICIAL GRATITUDE LACKS AUTHENTICITY. HADEN EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF ENRICHING APPRECIATION WITH SPECIFIC, MEANINGFUL REASONS.
“I walk by and instead of saying, thanks for all your hard work this week, I say, “Hey, thanks for handling that upset customer. You did a really great job. You saved that account. I really appreciate it.” And so not only do they get the thank you that they are craving, but they also get to know that you're paying attention. You recognize the value and the worth that they bring, and you are appreciating the fact that that's what they do for you.”
“That is the key really…say it more often, say it with specificity, say it with sincerity and find as many reasons as you can to say, thank you.”
THE BUSINESS REVIEW IS A PRODUCTION OF LIVINGSTON AND MCKAY AND THE HANKAMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY.
