It Doesn’t Hurt To Tell Your Team “Thank You”

“Thank you”, a two-word sentence but one that works miracles as far as delivery at workplace is concerned.

Unfortunately, some managers or employers would rather die than utter that simple two-word sentence; Thank You to their juniors, or let us just call them, employees.

“Thank you” is a sentence that is uttered by an individual or a group, towards an individual or a group that has donated, done or delivered something that needs to be “appreciated”.

“Thank you,” basically, is a sentence used to “appreciate” someone or something. For instance, someone helps you at your time need, financially perhaps, what do you say? “Thank you.”

“Thank you” can be expressed both verbally or non-verbally. Verbally is when someone tells you “Thank you”. Someone might however, choose to give you a present/gift as a sign of “Thank you.”

“Thank You” at Workplace

The presence or absence of a “Thank you” sentence at workplace is a great determinant of both the success or the failure of your team to succeed.

You cannot have teamwork at workplace without the ingredient “Thank you.” Many people, especially managers and bosses, are often aloof to this simple fact.

When do you tell your team, “Thank you”?

According to Peris Wachie, a psychologist, the use of the terms “thank you” should be part of the companies culture.

These two words to be cultivated, cultured and nurtured within an organisation from the very beginning. They should form the foundation of every organisation.

Every time your team does any little good thing, like cleaning their desks (if they never used to do), or meeting deadlines, or delivering to the clients to the satisfactory, the least you can do is to say “Thank you.”

Every time your team’s stretches itself for an extra mile for the good of your organisation and the wellbeing of the whole team, words “Thank You” should never cease.

Why is it so hard for some people to say “Thank You”? 

• Sense of entitlement: some people make it a habit of believing within themselves that they are entitled to whatever good thing that happens to them from others.
• Arrogance: some people are naturally arrogant. They just can’t see themselves saying “Thank you” even for the life they live.
• Pride: some people are too proud to say “Thank you.” They think or feel by saying “Thank you” will lower their perceived “ego” or “image” or “authority.”
• Sense of ownership: this, according to Nahashon Tsuma, a teacher and Marriage Counselor, is a habit that affects people with “slave driving mentality.” The good teacher says, the best way to appreciate your team is NEVER to feel that YOU OWN it. You so not own your team but you are part of it.

The relationship between “Teamwork” and “Thank You”

You can never have a formidable teamwork at your workplace if you do not acknowledge and appreciate your team.

Appreciation is the magic that often pushes a team to an extra mile. By telling the team “Thank you for the good work,” in the event that the team is doing a good work, motivates them to work even harder.

“There are different types of bosses. There are those, when a team does something good, they give it more responsibilities without appreciating the initial “well-done” task. But there are those who just feel genuinely happy and appreciative when a team does something good,” says Brackcedes Naliaka, a Human Resource Consultant.

Sometimes, as a manager or a boss, you might think that you have a team when in real sense what you have is an organized mob out to make a living individually.

Failure to appreciate your team kills their morale. It divides them. It makes them give up on you and your task. They stop living for your organisation and start existing for a living.

Let your team know what you need and how you want it look as the “end goal.” Then, let them work on it in their own creative way.

Someone said, “motivate your team, appreciate your team and each member will surprise you with their creativity.”

Have a policy that should always be used as a benchmark. Set realistic goals and “release” your team towards those set goals. Every time they meet the goals, don’t worry, just say “Thank you” or “good job” or “am proud of you.” It is not always about money.

Thank you for reading this piece.