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The Importance of Gratitude

| June 23, 2017 2:39 pm

When we were young, our parents constantly reminded us to say “please” and “thank you.” They did this because they were trying to show us the importance of gratitude. Being kind and thankful helps shape human character for the better and as my wife and I have two young children, we stress these qualities on a daily basis.

It seems like some folks in the business world need a gentle reminder about manners and decorum. When asking someone for something, don’t demand it. Ask politely. People are more willing to help when they feel they’re being treated in a professional and respectful manner. They are more likely to empathize with the needs of the requester. Once the duty has been performed, they should be thanked for their efforts. I don’t care how high on the food chain you are. All of us should thank everyone we interact with, no matter how small or trivial the action. Looking out for and helping one another is what connects us. It’s what makes us human. We are social creatures by design and we all want to be respected and valued.

The funny thing about showing gratitude is it not only benefits the person you thank. You benefit too! One of my all-time favorite quotes comes from Voltaire, “Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” When you thank someone for their efforts, you make them feel empowered and appreciated and your relationship is that much stronger as a result. Isn’t that what you want with your employees, co-workers, partners and customers? Saying thank you means typing an extra 8 characters. It takes 1.5 seconds at most. That little extra effort will go a long way in showing those you interact with how much you appreciate what they do.

Thank you for reading this and I wish you and your family health and happiness, now and in the future.

Conor Nicholson is the Founder and CEO of NSS RPO, a consulting firm that provides on-site and virtual recruiting professionals. Contact NSS RPO to learn about how we can help your organization meet and exceed it’s hiring goals.