Pimp Your Work

Saying “Thank You” in the Workplace

by Celine on December 7th, 2007

Home Biz Notes recently posted an article about how to master the “Art of Thank You” in a home business. Sadly, the art of thanks is something that seems to be slipping from the culture of most corporate hellmouths environments. Here are some of the things from that post which can be applied to the workplace:

*Remember your employees with thank you’s.

*Carry postcards with you so you can write notes while you wait or find someone needs a bit of cheer. These may be special ones or simply those purchased at the post office with a happy face sticker on them.

*Smile! Even those little smiling faces on your e-mail notes add a bit of cheer with thank you’s. Seeing your smiling face often brings an answering smile and cheers the person you encounter.

Click here to read the rest of that article.

As for the corporate slave employee, here are some additional tips that will help you spread a little bit of thankful cheer around the office:

If a coworker’s efforts have affected you positively, let them know. For example, a coworker created a wonderful presentation last month.  It was the presentation to end all presentations.  If this inspired you to create better presentations and your improvement is noticed, let the inspiring coworker know that you couldn’t have done it without her work as your basis.

Compliment your boss.  If you think you shouldn’t do this because everyone else is doing it, think again.  Odds are, all the thanks your boss is getting are from insincere suck-ups.  Here’s a previous post on some tips on how you can avoid looking like a suck-up yourself.

Leave something in the office fridge.  Does your secretary bring in your coffee just the way you like it? Did your project partner clock in extra hours with you?  If so, leave a small bag of cookies, a small container of assorted fruits, and other yummy treats in the office fridge for them to find.  Label it with their name and insert a small “Thank You” card inside.  Don’t forget to sign the card - they might think that their enemies are trying to poison them.

Give a personalized token.  It makes people feel special if they know you went out of your way to do something for them.  It’s one of the best ways to show you’re grateful.  Instead of a simple store-bought item, make something unique for them.  Specialized printing shops like Cafepress or Zazzle can do this for you (or you can find a cheap offline alternative).  As for what to put on the token, you can use an inside joke, a catchy phrase, or something from the recipient’s long list of hobbies or interests.  For example, if you’re thanking your officemate Jodi and you know she has a baby, you can print a bib that says “Jodi is a kickass mom!” (or something more wholesome).  Or if Bob didn’t sleep one night to help you troubleshoot your computer, you can print a pillow that says “Bob deserves his sleep!”.  Be creative.

How do you show thanks in the workplace?  Do you use any of the ideas mentioned above, or do you have your own unique way?  Share your own “thank you” ideas with the readers via the comments.

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