People become leaders due to a variety of circumstances and factors. Some strive for it and do everything possible to obtain the desired position, while others simply accept the necessity of becoming a leader, often without enthusiasm.
There are leaders who only make decisions on their own and never discuss issues with other members of the team. There are those who tend to be more open-minded and encourage their subordinates to share ideas and offer solutions. There are also the ones who turn out to be too open-minded, and this leadership style frequently results in disaster. The truth is that being a good and successful leader or manager is about balancing independence and control.
No matter which leadership style you decide to adhere to, there are two words that are an absolute must for all managers to use. Unlike what you might think, these words are not some generic courteous phrases like “Good morning” or “Have a nice day.” These two words are just “Thank you” – the simplest work stimulator and employee motivator.
The power of the secret words
According to the latest research conducted by some of the best universities all over the world, showing your gratitude has the power to create very strong ties within a team of colleagues. The words “thank you” can help you to become a truly influential leader. The same goes for personal relationships; gratitude works wonders in friendships and family relationships as well.
If you approach a person in a friendly manner, that person will be more motivated to help you. Coaches often use this technique when communicating with their students. Being grateful is an incredibly powerful tool for a successful manager. Your employees will appreciate your gratitude and will do their work with greater enthusiasm and devotion.
Well, if this tool works so well, promotes teamwork and strengthens the ties within a team, then why do so few managers say “thank you”? One of the probable reasons is that a leader might feel uncomfortable expressing appreciation. Some leaders may be socially uncooperative due to different reasons. This reluctance, however, must be overcome. Leaders must work on their personality on a regular basis to become better conversationalists and communicators.
Other leaders and managers feel they are too busy to say “thank you.” They are too distracted as they are responsible for controlling numerous tasks and are in charge of a whole lot of things. Nevertheless, it is imperative for a leader to see who is working efficiently and who is not. Employees with high performance deserve to be acknowledged. If you want them to keep up the good work, find the time to say how much you appreciate them and their work.
Not seeing and recognizing the efforts of his team is one of the biggest mistakes a leader could possibly make. The fact is that it’s essential for a manager to thank people, even if they’re simply carrying out their daily duties. Thank the janitor for his work, thank the security staff for wearing their uniforms, and thank your employees for the timely delivery of their tasks.
Recognize effort. Sometimes leaders thank those who offer new ideas regarding the development of the company, but forget about those who keep their little world within the company rotating and continue doing what they’re expected to do with constancy and dedication. Therefore, rewarding people with this simple two-word phrase is vital. Acknowledge everyone who has contributed to the success of your company – from cleaning staff to managers at all levels.
Sometimes leaders and managers fail to say “thank you” because of an internal team conflict that has not been resolved. Hostility is the worst thing for a team – it poisons the work within it. Always discuss any issues that worry you. As soon as the anger is defused, you’ll be able to (and should) say “thank you” again.
“Thank you” seems like a very simple phrase, but one cannot underestimate its importance. Successful leaders should be aware of the fact that saying “thank you” is an enormously helpful and powerful tool to use to encourage employees. This technique is easy to use, and it brings great results while costing you nothing except your smile and the magic words: “Thank you.”
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