Why is it that we need a special day on the calendar to remind us to say thank you?
I guess it’s because we get so tied up with our day to day tasks that we forget to appreciate and acknowledge what others do for us.
Fortunately there are exceptions to this rule.
For example, I received a note from my tax accountant just yesterday. It referred to several things they are thankful for including my friendship and confidence in them, pleasant association, and our valuable relationship. The note concluded with the phrase: “For all these things we are deeply thankful.”
There are several things that strike me about this note. It was meaningful, timely, appropriate, and sincere. It was not your typical end-of-year Happy Hallmark Holiday Greeting Card complete with worn out phrases in gold printed above a snowy winter scene. It was the right note at the right time.
So why not express your gratitude to the people who help make managing your projects less difficult than it would be without them.
If you just take a moment to think about it, you know who they are:
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Task owners who make the extra efforts to meet their deadline.
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Team members across multiple time zones who faithfully participate in your late night / early morning conference calls.
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The stakeholder who took the time to contact you and work through the issues to find mutually acceptable solutions.
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Your sponsor who finds the extra budget, takes on political battles, or finds the additional resources that you so desperately need.
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A customer who provides open and honest feedback on your deliverables.
So before everyone heads out for the holiday this week, be sure to take the time to sincerely say “Thank you.”
Doug Bedinger / Consulting for Results / (925) 947-5726
“Helping project teams work better together”
