Say No to Certificates and Pizza

Whenever I talk to a leader about valuing their team, I immediately get this response -

“We just don’t have the budget for that.”

“There’s no time for that.”

“We can’t provide lunch. There are too many dietary restrictions.”

?? This is not about an employee appreciation program.??

The grand gestures, the pizza parties, the fancy certificates, all the grand gestures do not make your people feel valued.

The opposite is actually true.

When a leader values their team, it actually looks like small, meaningful, FREE gestures on a regular basis. This is what I mean when I say Lead, Listen To and Love Your People.?

Early in my career, I had a manager who would thank me every day for coming in as I was leaving for the day. I finally asked her why she thanked me. I was being paid to work there!? Her response made such an incredible impact on me then and the leader I am today:?

“Everyday you have a choice of whether to show up or not. And when you do show up I really appreciate it because it makes my job so much easier.”

Hearing those words meant more to me than an “Employee of the Month” certificate or an occasional Pizza Friday lunch. Hearing her simple but genuine gratitude every day made me feel like my contribution to the program actually mattered. Her words made me feel valued.

And trust me when I say, your people would rather hear these words than get another Pizza Friday lunch. I challenge you to start a Love Your People daily practice TODAY.?

Instead of planning grand gestures, find small meaningful ways to celebrate your people every day. Show them that they matter. That you value them. That they are important.?

1. Today, look each team member in the eye (in-person or virtually) and say, “It is great to see you today!”
2. Tomorrow, get in front of each team member and say, “I appreciate you because…” (Choose one reason why you’re grateful they’re on your team.)
3. The next day, get in front of each team member again and say, “I’m grateful you’re on our team. You made a difference by…”
4. The day after, keep going! These phrases should become natural and a part of your leadership vocabulary. Mention them when you greet your team for the day, include them in your 15 minute Milestone Meetings, say them when you're on your way out for the day...

There may be someone on your team that you feel lost at what to say to them. That feeling cannot stop you from valuing them. There is at least ONE thing that’s causing you to keep them. Share that one thing with them and see how it changes your relationship.

Bottomline: You don’t have to worry about a budget. You don’t have to worry about making a massive time commitment to plan and execute the gesture. In order to value your people, you must think small but meaningful and daily.?

Need help starting small? Not sure how to implement your own Love Your People daily practice? Message me your questions. I’m here to help you Love Your People!

Lead??, Listen??? to & Love ? Your People,?

Anne