Nataly 38 #1 December 3, 2012 Funny... Motivation is a topic that really fascinates me... And although you would think things like money would motivate people, lots of studies (and my own personal experience) suggest that things like validation/acknowledgement, feeling "useful", and responsibility are all more motivating than an increase in salary... Why just today I received a personal thanks for my professionalism and excellent work and I was pleased as punch So if someone working for you is doing a thankless job - why don't you make an effort to tell them their work is appreciated... It might just make their day/week/month "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #2 December 3, 2012 The "trick" though is actually being sincere in your appreciation. If all you're doing is faking the "thank-you" (like when a 3-year-old is told by his Mom say thanks and only does so begrudgingly), then the person on the receiving end will probably see right through it and might even hate you all the more because of it. I've worked for complete phonies who were very "polite" with their pleases and thank-yous, but completely insincere and yeah, I hated them with a passion. Don't try to manipulate me; do appreciate that I just made your continued profitability possible.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DiverMike 5 #3 December 3, 2012 I actually followed Nataly's advice and thanked someone who works for me. He seemed to appreciate it and everything should be ok,until or unless he gets a DZ.COM account and determines I only did this because Nataly told me to. For the same reason I jump off a perfectly good diving board. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #4 December 3, 2012 Why not take it a step further and thank people you come in contact with for their good service? I stopped in the local fast food place Saturday to speak briefly with the manager. The service I got the evening prior at the drive through was the best I've ever gotten at a place like that. Wanted to express my appreciation to both the employee and who ever trained them....very courteous & professional. It made enough of an impression on me I felt acknowledgement of way above average performance was warranted. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Empadinha 0 #5 December 3, 2012 Couldn´t agree more with all the replies When in Danger or in doubt run in circles scream and shout. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,589 #6 December 3, 2012 I can assure you that if you supervise people, one of the things most of them want is for you to legitimately know what they do (at some level -- not in exhaustive detail), and care about it. So tell them how that's true periodically, preferably in a positive manner. Wendy P.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZigZagMarquis 9 #7 December 4, 2012 Quote I actually followed Nataly's advice and thanked someone who works for me. He seemed to appreciate it and everything should be ok,until or unless he gets a DZ.COM account and determines I only did this because Nataly told me to. Maybe you could get N@ to provide personalized autographed photos of herself for folks employees as an appreciation award!!?? We could call it a N@'a-boy! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingRhenquest 1 #8 December 4, 2012 Whenever I get down about my job, I just sing a little song! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTTwfGopOeYI'm trying to teach myself how to set things on fire with my mind. Hey... is it hot in here? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #9 December 4, 2012 QuoteDon't try to manipulate me; do appreciate that I just made your continued profitability possible. Put that phrase in the context of talking about Apple products and it's kind of funny.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nataly 38 #10 December 4, 2012 Quote Why not take it a step further and thank people you come in contact with for their good service? I stopped in the local fast food place Saturday to speak briefly with the manager. The service I got the evening prior at the drive through was the best I've ever gotten at a place like that. Wanted to express my appreciation to both the employee and who ever trained them....very courteous & professional. It made enough of an impression on me I felt acknowledgement of way above average performance was warranted. Thank you for reminding me of this! I try to thank people for good service, although I admit that too often I take it for granted. Sometimes we are just too focused on the stuff that goes *wrong* and we forget all the work involved in things going*right*. Agree with Quade that an insincere "thank you" is just patronising... But it *is* nice when people genuinely acknowledge and value your input. Often we assume people know how much we appreciate them and we forget to say so - but it's really gratifying to hear it every once in a while "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
