Saying Thanks is Good Business... and Good for You

This holiday season is the time to say thank you - thanks to your partners at work, thanks to your boss, thanks to your team, and thanks to your friends and family. Yes, we did have a good year. Yes, my team-mates did help each other a lot. Yes, my boss was really good to me and really helped me succeed.

And believe it or not, saying thanks is good for business and good for you.

For this holiday season, let me just cite a few of the research studies that explain why giving is such a valuable thing to do:

• Our research last year showed that organizations with a high-recognition culture have 31% lower turnover than their peers. People love to work in companies where they feel appreciated. Take a minute every day to say thanks to the people you work with.
  
  
• When you give or receive thanks, your body develops Oxytocin, the "trust molecule." Oxytocin makes you feel better, trust people more, and act more kindly to others. So you can change your own feelings or the feelings of others by just saying thanks. (Giving someone a hug does the same thing, by the way.)
  
  
• People who take time to volunteer are statistically healthier than others. Research by the National and Community Service Organization shows statistical improvements in health outcomes when people take time to volunteer.
  
  
• Companies who are considered "endearing" are more "enduring." The book Firms of Endearment proved statistically that organizations which provide public good and give back outperform their peers: a 1025% return on stock vs. 122% for the S&P 500 during the period of this research. Wow!
  
  
• Sending a written (or even email) thank you note helps your customers and friends remember the act for up to 3 months, just because of the goodwill that is created. Rene Siegel gives you some great tips in this article from Inc. Magazine.
  
  
• Research by psychologists shows that the key to a happy marriage is just to "be nice to each other" on a regular basis, say thank you, and appreciate your partner.

Over the next few weeks take a little extra time and be thankful to the people around you, send that holiday greeting, or check in with an old friend. You'll be glad you did.

Josh Bersin writes and researches corporate talent, learning, leadership, and HR best-practices around the world. He is Principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP and founder of Bersin by Deloitte. You can follow Josh here or on twitter josh_bersin or at www.bersin.com .

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