How Smiles and Thank Yous Make a Difference

Take a look at the image on the left - how do you feel when you see it?   Better still, how do you feel when you caused that big grin?

In my role as a business leader, I believe I'm making a difference when my teammates smile a lot, and when they use the two most beautiful words in the English language - "Thank You".     That may seem too simple for some, but it's not for me. 

While getting desired business results is a worthy goal and I certainly get a lot of satisfaction from that, I'm looking for something more - a work environment where all involved thrive, truly enjoy their work, and find fulfillment from it.

I measure that by smiles and thank yous. When I'm up in front of a group of teammates and I talk about putting "more cowbell" into the business while showing the absolutely hilarious SNL video, or breaking out into song to praise another group for achieving a milestone, you bet I'm shooting for smiles as well as point making.  Joy is infectious, and can inject a palpable energy into what in other circumstances could be a rote and boring business task or process.

If a teammate goes out of their way to thank me for listening to their concerns, or for praising them, or for offering good advice, I know I've made a difference with that person.

These are little moments that can often be missed, ignored or quickly forgotten because of the  pressures and distractions that can occur in a fast-paced business environment.  But I've really tried to discipline myself to notice and appreciate them, for I've come to rely upon that feedback as to whether or not I'm hitting my target.

That target of teammate job satisfaction has only increased in importance to me as my career has progressed, because I have seen time and time again what it produces - real business success.   This has been a great learning experience for me.

To put it another way, to me those smiles and thank yous have become a true "leading indicator" of those tangible and measurable bottom line results that can be found on a balance sheet or an income statement.

And this difference making is personally rewarding, because I simply love what I do and I would like nothing more to have all my teammates feel the same way.

Try to generate a few of these smiley faces in the workplace and you'll see what I mean.  Oh, and maybe you'll smile a lot more yourself!

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Terry Starbucker is an operations executive for a service company who lives in Connecticut, loves business trips to the Rocky Mountain west, and posts his musings and observations about "the optimistic side of the daily grind" in Ramblings from a Glass Half Full. 

Comments

[Phil Gerbyshak]

This is great advice Terry. The more we can help others smile, the more we can smile ourselves. It's funny how when we focus on serving others that our own results shoot through the roof. Thanks for the reminder!

[Rosa Say]

Terry, your posting moves me today. Damn right you made a difference, and a HUGE one. This is what work with aloha is, and what it is supposed to be like for everyone. I added a pointer here from my Labor Day 2007 posting on MWACoaching this morning (it is linked to my name in this comment):
"Please read what Starbucker has to say: I continually assert that management should be A Calling, and that great managers create great workplaces, and within today's gem on Joyful Jubilant Learning, you will read what that intention sounds like."

You wrote, "While getting desired business results is a worthy goal and I certainly get a lot of satisfaction from that, I'm looking for something more - a work environment where all involved thrive, truly enjoy their work, and find fulfillment from it."

That "something more" you describe IS the most worthy goal that gets all the other desired business results too.

If I were still in a position to do so, I would double your salary and do whatever it takes to hire you after reading this: I would create a job for you even if none existed, for you are that asset of "human capital" every business needs if they are to thrive, and seize their responsibility for leadership. (And you can bet that I will remember you if I ever do start hiring for my own company again.)

If you take the link to my name in this comment, you will see that I have immortalized your words on a static page I have at www.managingwithaloha.com, one I link to all the time when I use the words "calling for management" and refer to what "great managers believe in." It is the page with the most downloads EVER in my three years of writing online.
http://www.managingwithaloha.com/Ten-Beliefs-of-Great-Managers.html

For every reader out there, do not for a moment think I am gushing because Terry is a friend; heralding this message is what the mission of Managing with Aloha is all about for me.

[tim]

Terry - within the simplicity of a smile and thank you are such incredible depth. I firmly agree with you that these two things can make a HUGE difference in the workplace.

I like what Rosa said above..."I would create a job for you even if none existed..." That's because more workplaces need people who will champion the cause of the smile and the thank you. Your post has done just that!

[Terry Starbucker]

Hi Phil, Rosa and Tim - thanks for your comments!

Phil, it is funny how something so simple can create something so great. Elegant simplicity.

Rosa, Wow. I'm humbled by your kind words. I'm speechless. And smiling, knowing we are kindred spirits. And a job in Hawaii doesn't sound too bad... :-)
You've more than heralded, my friend, you have exclaimed it from the blogosphere rooftop! Bless you and thank you.

Tim, thanks - it just makes too much sense to me that nuturing the basic human need to "belong" and be happy is also the secret to business success. I'll keep championing until my last day on the job (any job).

All the best to all of you!

[Pete Aldin]

Where were you Terry when I was "working for the Man"? Smiles and thankyous as an indicator of bottom line? I like it!

I once got told by a manager that I had a "Peter Pan complex" (didn't wanna grow up) & until this week just gone it's amazing how much that's repressed the "let's have fun and make other people's day along the way" side of me. Thanks for contributing to its rebirth! You'd be a great guy to work with - seriously! :)

[Terry Starbucker]

Hi Pete - thanks for your comment. I too used to work for "the man", and that experience only hardened my views on what really is "job satisfaction". To put it another way, if I can't have fun at a job, the job ain't worth doing.

Keep spreading the word, and who knows, maybe we will work together one day!

All the best.

[Robyn]

Terry, I believe smiles and thank-you's are an extension of a very happy and peaceful heart. They really come naturally. And, it's your gift to folks who know you!

I'd add that you have a dancing heart as well. I've come to see you as a person who loves dance!!

Thanks for sharing.

[Angela Maiers]

Terry, I AM SMILING! What a great post. This is absolutely true. In life and in work, it is the littlest things that make the most profound differences-a smile, a thank you, a feeling that what you did made a difference to someone. You remind us not to let those moments slip away unnoticed. Thank You.

[Terry Starbucker]

Thank you Angela, for stopping by and for your kind words. The opportunity to write a about these "truths" have been so beneficial to me - everytime I feel like those pressures and distractions are getting the better of me, I just read this post again (like I did this morning when I saw your comment). It's icing on the cake to know that good people like yourself also can benefit as well. Thanks again, and all the best!