How to make someone's day great
Chester Elton
I help transform corporate culture | 20+ years experience | 500+ leaders coached | Keynote Speaker | Ready to improve your company culture? For business inquiries, [email protected]
By Chester Elton
“You made my day!”
According to my friend and 100 Coaches colleague Howard H Prager, those are the four most powerful words someone can say to you. It means that you’ve done something for them that was meaningful, important, at the right time and in the right way. Not only that, but they are extremely grateful for your actions.
Do those actions have to be big? Not necessarily, says Prager, author of the new book Make Someone’s Day: Becoming a Memorable Leader in Work and Life. “A smile may be all someone needs to get them out of being stuck or in a funk.”
Prager’s work is all about the actions one can take to lift someone and let them know how much your appreciate them. He says these actions can be small or large, in person or online, planned or spontaneous. Examples might include commenting in a kind way on someone’s a post on social media to holding an elevator a few seconds longer for someone all the way up to donating a kidney. You read that right. Some actions go way beyond making someone’s day to saving someone’s life.
We’ve all experienced something memorable our teachers, parents, coaches, relatives or friends did for us growing up that made a big difference. They encouraged us when we needed it, they gave us an opportunity to take on a special project or even helped get our first job. The question is, do they know? Today, this very day, we can thank them and let them know the impact they had on us. A note, a call, or taking them to lunch may be all you need to let them know they made a difference to you.
Howard says leaders and managers can also become memorable to those in their care. In doing so, they get three things in return:
1)???Increased motivation and productivity
2)???Greater commitment and loyalty.
3)???The Boomerang Effect.
What’s the Boomerang Effect?
Says Howard, “When you make someone’s day, your mirror neurons reflect what happens to them. If the other person is pleased and excited, you get to experience that feeling too. Here’s a small example from the book. I was taking the commuter train downtown to work early one morning. A young woman walked over with a clipboard and asked me to sign a petition. I said sure, what’s it for??She said to get someone on the ballot for election. I signed it and gave it back to her, and she looked at me with wide eyes and said, ‘You made my day!’ I was flabbergasted. All I did was sign a petition. Was I the first one? Had she been rejected before me? In any case, I experienced the Boomerang Effect and it lasted all day. I realized something powerful was happening, and I needed to learn more about it.”
Make Someone’s Day is all about gratitude, kindness, and giving people what they need when they most need it. Thank someone who made your day in the past or present. And find a way, every day, to make someone’s day. They’ll feel good and so will you for sharing your gratitude.
As to me, Howard made my day by speaking with me. Now, I’d love to read your comments: Who has made your day? When did you let someone else know they made your day?
With love and gratitude,
IT"S TIME TO VOTE GLOBAL GURU'S!!! I'm grateful?Adrian Gostick?and I are nominated in the leadership and culture categories with the Global Gurus.
30% of the ranking valuation is based on your votes. If you have a few seconds, Adrian and I would appreciate your votes for us in the?Leadership?and?Organizational Culture?categories! #gratefulforyou.
WE THRIVE TOGETHER
If you are looking for a safe place to talk about anxiety at work and mental health, please join us at?We Thrive Together?This is a free community that Adrian and I have started to help people who suffer from anxiety themselves or are managing people who are feeling anxious, burnout, and stress. We share ideas and show up for each other, and everyone is welcome.
ANXIETY AT WORK PODCAST
It's a proven fact that you can't be in a state of anxiety and gratitude at the same time! Each week, my coauthor and dear friend,?Adrian Gostick?and I talk to some of the world’s leading authorities on mental health and explore the causes of workplace stress and anxiety, along with practices that are proven to reduce tension and cultivate calm. Our latest episode of?Anxiety at Work?podcast is with Andy Holmes, Global Head of Wellbeing at reckitt. He shares really practical ideas - you won't want to miss this episode!
领英推荐
WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR?
So?#grateful?to have had the chance to learn from a master teacher?Quint Studer?in Pensacola FL at the Entrecon conference. I came away with pages of notes on mental health and how to better enjoy my work and life. Never pass up the chance to learn from a master. Thank you Quint!
Who, or what are you grateful for today?
IN THE BOOK CORNER
The most powerful words someone can say are "you made my day!" This book is brimming with practical ideas to make someone's day!
Get your copy?here
#3?Wall Street Journal?bestseller
It's no secret that we're pushed to the limit. Today's professionals feel rushed, overwhelmed, and perennially behind. How can we break out of this endless cycle and create the kind of interesting, meaningful lives we all seek? The Long Game will show you how.
Chester Elton has spent two decades helping clients engage their employees to execute on strategy, vision, and values. His work is supported by research with more than 1 million working adults, revealing the proven secrets behind high-performance cultures and teams. He and his coauthor, Adrian Gostick are the founders of The Culture Works, a global coaching, speaking, and training company.
Leading with Gratitude?& Anxiety at Work?are available wherever you like to get your books.?Visit?Leading with Gratitude Book?for free resources including videos, podcast episodes, and more, to help you build a culture of gratitude.
Widowed. Entering 7th year caring for my parents at my home in Kansas City.
2 年Being a caregiver to my elderly parents, my world can seen small at times. Recently I decided to encourage those I come in contact with, which often includes a worker at a drive through window. As I thanked and “tipped” the young man who handed me my food he mentioned How blessed he was to be expecting a baby with his wife. As I drove away a thought came to make a blessing basket for the new baby. I was so filled with joy as I filled the basket and brought it to the restaurant. He had already left to go to his second job. I left it with his co worker. Do what you can do, when you can (right away is best). I am the one who was blessed. Little things mean so much! ??
??Commercial Cleaning ?? Office Cleaning ?? Industrial Cleaning ?? Strata Cleaning ?? Covid-19 Cleaning ?? Retail Cleaning ?? School Cleaning
2 年Every day, find a way to brighten someone's day. Thank someone who has made a difference in your life. They'll be happy for expressing their gratitude. Make someone's day is all about gratitude, kindness and providing what people need when they need it most.
CX Advocate-Telephone "On-Hold Doctor" Telephone VOIP On Hold Music, Messaging & IVR Audio Voice Prompts. Award Winning Business Networking Connector & Cultivator Of Kindness Marketing & Customer Experience Consultant
2 年Thanks Chester!
Teaching Director at Clarence Town Preschool, optimist and joy seeker.
3 年Good morning, Chester, and thank you for an inspiring read for this Monday morning. I look forward to reading Make Someone's Day, thank you for the recommendation. Have a beautiful day!