Thank You from DecisionWise

We give them a paycheck, isn’t that thanks enough?

I’ve heard variations of the following questions more than a few times in my career, “We pay them to do their job, why do they expect more?” Or, “I thank them by paying them.” Each time I think on these sentiments, I bristle. Who would want to work at a place like that?

We say “thank you” because it is an important form of respect, and a core ingredient in building belonging in the workplace. A paycheck is simply part of the bargain, not the heart of a relationship that values each employee.?

I would be remiss if I didn’t note that gratitude and employee recognition, while often intertwined, are two distinct feelings. There is a difference between highlighting someone’s accomplishments during a stand-up session and privately pulling someone aside to express your gratitude for their contributions. Employee recognition is sharing the limelight with others. Gratitude is how we communicate our appreciation and concern for one another.?

From an individual perspective, gratitude is the gateway to positive thinking. It allows us to experience so many positive emotions including appreciation, loyalty, and love. Gratitude may be the greatest of the virtues for it keeps us grounded, humble, and ready to practice the others.?

Yet today I am not writing to extol the virtues of gratitude because it’s good for business. Gratitude is not just another item on a business leader’s checklist. Being thankful is good for just about everything!?

My wife is a children’s book aficionado, and one of her favorites is “Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed” by Emily Pearson and Fumi Kosaka. This book is a metaphor for the butterfly effect as it follows how a small deed by Mary leads to a world of happier people.??

On her way home from school, Mary sees some beautiful blueberries. She picks a big bowl and gives them to Mrs. Bishop, who then makes blueberry muffins to share with others, and the process builds like a huge ocean wave as others pay it forward.???

Here is the book's last stanza:

Yes, Ordinary Mary’s

extraordinary deed had

come full circle, on its way it

had changed the lives of

every person living!?

?

You see, when Mrs. Bishop

made muffins from Mary’s

blueberries, not only the

paperboy, Billy Parker, but the

other four people, too, made

five people smile, and those

five did, too, and after a while

– in only fifteen days – love

was sent to every person

everywhere.

As we pause this week to say thank you to each other, let me say thank you to our vendors and partners. Thank you to our readers and followers. And a very special thank you to each customer and client!?

Lastly, a huge thank you to those that work here at DecisionWise. To us, you are “Ordinary Marys” doing “Extraordinary Deeds!”

Matthew Wride,?

President, DecisionWise?