Today, Show Your IT Deparment You Care!

If you are at work right now and you’ve been able to send emails, draft documents, see your calendar, use your phone, and are reading this message online, it is most likely due in large part to the hard work of your IT team. IT, among other departments (HR, Accounting, Maintenance, Security etc.), is the backbone of our organizations, and yet we only reach out to them when something doesn’t work or when we need something. Today, reach out to IT, not because you need something, but to let them know you appreciate them!

 Today take five-minutes and do something to let IT know you care:

• Write a five-minute note and leave it on someone’s desk.
• Have everyone on your team submit work requests to the IT department, but instead of requesting help, have your team write thank you notes in each one! (IT may hate me for this idea!)
• Get everyone from your department to make “Thank You IT Signs!” Then, quickly run down to IT and have everyone scream thank you!
• Make a “Thank You IT!” banner and have everyone sign it!   Hang it up in the entrance of your office or in the IT department.
• Find out what the team loves and surprise them with that!

 It is likely IT will say things such as, “We are just doing our job.” or “No worries.” “It’s nothing.” They may be wondering if you are just doing this because you need a favor, so be sure to share your realization. “I realized I only call you when I have a problem and never thank you for of all the days everything works perfectly! I can only do my job because you do yours so well!”

 It will make their day and probably leave you feeling good too!

Thank you IT!

Note: If you are on the IT team, thank you for what you do very day, and it’s completely okay to share this with others in your organization with a little smiley face! Everyone needs a little reminder some times!

About the Author

Christopher Littlefield, is the founder of AcknowledgmentWorks. He trains leaders around the world in the Art of Acknowledgment and Engagement. His work revolves around the understanding that at the heart of all of our relationships is the experience of feeling valued. Conducting over 400 interviews and collecting thousands of surveys around the globe have shaped Chris’ unique understanding of what employees really want and need to feel valued. Chris has worked with Fidelity Investments, Kraft Foods, Untied Nations, The Lebanese Postal Service and more. Watch Chris as he shares his research at TEDx Beirut.