Thank you...for what?

You’re probably familiar with the adage that begins, “out of the mouth of babes….”  If I understand it’s meaning, it reminds me that “kids say the smartest things.”

 

I consider myself a serendipitous continuous learner. That is, I learn as much as I can from sources that I often don’t expect to learn from. I learned a lot from nature and gardening the past couple of weeks, for instance. In fact, I plan to write a book on what I learned. Anyway, I was out doing yard work yesterday and was unexpected joined by my 7-year-old granddaughter, JoJo. Kids, or at least mine, are more than glad to help Opa when they find it interesting. She did. Both. 

 

As we finished our work and went inside to clean up, I said to JoJo, “Thank you for your help, Princess.” She replied, “You’re welcome, Opa. What did I do?” I know that you’re saying, “Aaawww?!” and wondering “What’s that got to do with leadership?” A lot, actually.

 

I often suggest to my audiences that one can’t say THANK YOU too much. Interestingly, I also have followers who argue with me on that topic. I’m okay with arguing. It often makes me think and learn. And, as I just said, I’m a serendipitous continuous learner. Which I believe all Effective Leaders should be. Not, necessarily, the serendipitous part, though.

 

What struck me, coming from this little person, this babe, is that she validated what I often say about thanking people. Be specific. Leaders appreciate when their followers do great work continuously without being told or being supervised. I count that as success as a leader. You’ve also heard that people will continue to do what they’re praised for doing. If they know what that is!

 

Yeah, we can argue about how much praise a leader should give. But what I think you may agree with is that it should be specific. That makes it effective. Thank your followers for what they do but tell them what it is you’re praising them for and how they did it to deserve your praise. Make it a learning opportunity. “Bob, thank you for answering the phone as you just did. Your courtesy and respect to the caller made the entire organization sound professional. That’s what we want. You represented yourself and the company well. And, by the way, let’s talk about your raise….” Okay, I added the last statement to help you get a few more bucks in your pocket. You’re welcome. 

 

Say thank you. I’ll argue that you can’t do that too often, but for what? Luckily, I remembered what JoJo did to deserve my thanks and I reminded her of it. She smiled and hugged me. Thank you, JoJo for making my day! And for teaching me what’s important.

 

Until next time,

 

Be GREAT!

 

You ARE!

 

And THANK YOU for reading my thoughts.

 

HEIRPOWER!