This slice goes out to Elaine Newman and the team @EGlobalLearning because and to sustain them as they put their heads together to nominate a great NOWLeader nominee.
Ingredients
1 thank you note with matching envelope
1 pen
1 stamp
Cup of gratitude
Bowl of appreciative expressions
2-3 tablespoons of deed – the spice that led to gratitude
Substitutions: typed note on plain paper can be substituted for pen in cases of illegible handwriting or need for spell check
Pour cup of gratitude into bowl of appreciative expressions. Mix well. Sprinkle deed (event that created gratitude) into mixture as needed. Let stand until words form. Using pen, place words on card ensuring correct order. When dry (2 minutes) fold card, place in envelope and write address on front. Put stamp on upper right corner – front of envelope. Deliver to mail box or post office.
ENJOY the taste of Thank You.
Note: I encourage executives to send hand written notes to employees, peers, managers, vendors and customers who have done something, regardless of how small or large, that deserves a “thank you.” The other day a client turned the tables and sent one to me. Ironically, he was a thanking me for for helping him thank others, something that is making a tremendous difference in relationships at work. I am amazed at how much it means in this day of instant communication via email, text message, voice mail, twitter, face book, e-cards etc. that someone took the time to write and send a note via snail mail.
Please feel free to give a piece of gratitude cake to someone by commenting below. Please follow the recipe and be sure to identify what they did to win your appreciation and the cake.
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by bizshrink: Simple recipe for GRATITUDE CAKE http://bit.ly/gratitudecake...
Gratitude cake to my husband for making this year’s bday so very wonderful and to tweeples –
Dave C – for your continued support and generosity to so many
Thomas – for your wonderful encouraging words and gentle humorous nature and for being the originator of the “have a sexy year” wish
Tanya – for caring about diversity in the world
Becky – for sharing virtual pizza when we are working late at night and cold pizza when we are working early in the morning
Marion – for sharing the mission and working endlessly to advance women leaders
Monica – for always naming the good in others
Christopher – for your very playful nature and standing for what you believe
And to all for sending bday wishes.
A big piece of “Gratitude Cake” to you Anne… for engaging me in such a playful way and making me laugh! Laughter is so important to me, and I appreciate your playfulness. Warm wishes for a great day, and enjoy the cake!
Thanks for that very playful piece of cake.
To Jerry Zevin – my dear friend, long-standing (and sitting) colleague, and associate. Thank you for making it always seem like we just saw each other yesterday. I greatly appreciate the recent recommendation and coaching referral. Your confidence means so much to me.
Love – and enjoy the cake.
Anne –
I appreciate your consistency in giving me encouragement over these last months. And cake for breakfast sounds much better to me than pizza today.
Rick Ross (@RickRoss10) One of my first and most respected twitter friends – one who truly gets and incorporates humanity in business. A special slice for you. Enjoy – after you next bike ride.
Dear Ava – @feistywoman. You are. You are generous. You are smart. You are feisty. Thanks for the very loud shout out on twitter to @lolaaudu regarding. Hope we get to meet in person sooner. Enjoy the cake. No fat. No calories. Just gratitude.
@joegerstandt – A large slice because you are a great Dad and you care in a very deep way about what needs to BE in the world – people who value and respect ALL. (Take one for your daughter too please- just because)
@minutrition – Paul you get cake because you are a steady and constant supporter for advancing smart savvy women in the world.
@mjasmus – For caring enough to respond when I asked, and for being out there working to develop better leaders.
@dougbachelor – A technologist yes, but the cake is for being committed to what really counts in the world.
.-= Anne Perschel´s last blog ..Fixing the Hole in the Corporate Soul =-.
@SusanMazza – as much cake as you want with sparkles on it to match your brilliance.
@thehrgoddess – cake & a glass of water because you are the soft flowing water that wears away the immovable hard rock of selfish unethical corporate behavior.
@royatkinson – A slice of cake to a terrific story teller and supporter of savvy women in business.
@learnsolmary – a get well soon slice for your hubby and one for you because you are a caring soul. Hope he’s feeling well enough to eat the cake.
.-= Anne Perschel´s last blog ..Fixing the Hole in the Corporate Soul =-.
@Encouraging – a piece of cake for sending tweets that warm my heart (emes – yiddish for – “not kidding really telling the truth here.”)
@MarionChapsal – for generously sharing your energy, excitement, passion and commitment to advancing women leaders & your great sense of humor.
@Jim_Holland – a piece of cake to say welcome and thank you for caring about Corporate Soul
@Sock4HappyPPL – A piece of cake for making socks that matter & because my husband is unable to go into a store and come out without buying socks!! Please tell me, what is that about. He will be a gr8 customer.
.-= Anne Perschel´s last blog ..Fixing the Hole in the Corporate Soul =-.
Anne, this is a wonderful recipe! Thank you for your generosity and for repairing the hole in the corporate soul by giving back to others.
@JuliePuentes – A slice of gratitude for caring about Corporate Soul
@Rotana – a welcome slice for being thoughtful
@TanveerNaseer – a slice for your generous spirit
@lolaaudu – A welcome slice & thnx for caring enough to ask @FeistyWoman about the Corporate Soul tweet then RTing.
.-= Anne Perschel´s last blog ..Fixing the Hole in the Corporate Soul =-.
@quirkyTravveller – Your slice is a bit quirky to match your spirit. Thanks for helping to fix the hole in the corporate soul.
How wonderfully clever and beautifully warm. Thank you Anne! It is inspiring to see you leading boldly with your heart and SOUL!!! Grateful to have you in my life – for your friendship, your wisdom, your brilliance and your playfulness. Always a joy to interact with you in any medium!!
Kelly @Ketelboeter – A warm slice fresh out of the oven for your friendship and support & for keeping all of us posted on LeaderPalooza
@laurajdaley – Cake for your commitment to women
@MADconsulting – Gratitude cake for the laughs and great tweets
@Amara_Rose – A beautiful slice to match your inner and outer beauty
@JennKuhnPR – A giant no calorie no fat slice for caring about Mapendo and stating that we should simply care without having to turn caring into a cause.
@SCJoson – Shayna – A big fat no fat no calorie slice 4 u. You are such a welcome site on Twitter – smart savvy Wall Street Lady. Thanks for adding plushious to my vocabulary. Jane Perdue & I will want to interview u for our series on women power & money. (S-x too but I’m not allowed to say that on-line and Jane will probably blush.
@LollyDaskal – Ms. Lolly – A slice that is light and rich for you who are a light and brings riches to the lives of many.
Anne, I love the concept of gratitude cake. A cherished possession of mine is a hand written note of congratulations from an executive on the occassion of one of my promotions. Thank you for bringing back that memory.
@erinschreyer – Erin – There is a piece of cake for you that has a huge smile on it. Why? Because you may possibly have the best smile – inside and out – in the twitterverse. Thanks for your continued friendship & support. I so hope we m.i.p. someday. Hey that’s a good one for meet in person. U just bring out the genius in others. Did I just brag shamelessly? Better stop and eat some cake now.
.-= Anne´s last blog ..Fixing the Hole in the Corporate Soul =-.
Anne, brilliant idea!!! So creative and yet so simple…and a lovely gesture!!! Who wouldn’t love a piece of this cake?!?! And it has no fat or calories…nothing but goodness packed inside!! I love it, and love you for thinking of it!
THANK YOU for adding so much to those of us around you! What a blessing it is to be in community with you!!!
Would you like tissues with your cake?
Thank you for your gracious reply.
Anne,
This is a wonderful post; such lovely imagery for such a thoughtful gesture. You’ve put a warm smile on my face thanks to the generosity of spirit in offering me a piece of your gratitude cake.
Derek @sivers – A piece of cake is dancing your way in appreciation of your generosity, creative genius and wonderful sense of humor. For those who may be curious put your dancin’ shoes on and go to http://sivers.org/ff
Enjoy the cake. Enjoy the dance.
.-= Anne´s last blog ..Fixing the Hole in the Corporate Soul =-.
Susan – @SusanZelinski – Reach behind your back to grab this piece of cake. My way of expressing gratitude for talking behind my back – telling people that I contribute to leadership and org. psych from both a research and experience base. There’s an extra slice to congratulate you on your new position as VP of HR for 5th 3rd Bank Columbus Affiliate. No worries. No calories, no fat!
.-= Anne Perschel´s last blog ..Fixing the Hole in the Corporate Soul =-.
Jennifer @JenniferVMiller
Please accept this piece of cake in gratitude for including Germane Consulting as a leadership development resource in upcoming blog at http://jennifervmiller.com/
Hope the radio show goes well.
What a delicious idea! from this day forward let you and I swing wide all the doors and windows of our hearts, so we may learn from each other and ourselves. Let us see the light in each other and carry each other on our shoulders along the way. Cherishing you Ann! You are a true thought leader, pure heart and soul. Grateful to have you in my life,
This slice of key lime pie cake is for incredible friend Jane Green. True friends are the cream that rises to the top and you my dear friend Jane are the creme de la creme. Jane, who just packed and moved the entire contents of her home, arrived at our door at 9:30 A.M. to help us pack. She took on the kitchen like a soldier, topping off her efforts while I was on a conference call. As I was engaged in business she finished the job and slipped out the very door through which she arrived. Much to my delight the entire contents of our kitchen cabinets were packed, sealed, labeled and numbered. The best part was that I had told dear Mr. P we would be eating out for the remaining weeks. My dear friend Jane has made this wish come true.
Jane – I know you are not fond of sweets but love the lemon and the lime, so this slice of key lime pie is intended to make you pucker. En-Joy.
Judi – @JudiCogen
A slice of sweet appreciation topped with a dash of cynicism for being a silly cynical sister who can hold both a profound love & cynical view of life all at the same time. And for making me laugh.
.-= Anne Perschel´s last blog ..Fixing the Hole in the Corporate Soul =-.
To Deb Murphy – Girl Geek Marketing Coach
A deep slice of cake to express my deep appreciation for your on-going support of my web-site(s), blog, our yet to unfold business partnership, and on & on. http://masterful-marketing.com/
Great post and super reminder for all of us to show more appreciation in this tough and troubled world. A little kindness and thanks can make someone’s day and make you a friend for life.
Thanks for my slice!
.-= Debra Murphy´s last blog ..Traditional vs. New Media Channels =-.
Anne,
Yum! I adore cake and this was is especially tasty. Thanks for taking the time to show your appreciation. What a fantastic group of “cookers” (as my 6 year old would say)you’ve amassed!
.-= Jennifer V. Miller´s last blog ..Employees’ Wish List to Customer Service Leaders =-.
Rebecca Ratner -A slice of cake with a touch of magic as a way of saying thanks for sharing so openly what all of you have done to create the magical community at Zappos. The world benefits from your willingness to share, and I will do my part to spread the magic.
Tony Hsieh – A slice of pure happiness cake built for a builder who built a company where people express passion and purpose – with joy. A place of happiness. I hope and trust your book will be a smashing success, changing the paradigm to work life integration. Here’s to being the best version of the person we all call “Me” sometimes “I” wherever we are. Thanks for the interview and let’s go spread the word! En-Joy the cake.
.-= Anne´s last blog ..Fixing the Hole in the Corporate Soul =-.
Diane Coffey – A slice of very public related cake coming your way to say thank you for moving so quickly to arrange interviews with Rebecca and Tony. You have played a role on the viral leadership movement dedicated to changing the meaning and the work of work.
To Paula Tanikawa – Your special slice has summer fresh strawberries and whipped cream on top. Thanks for being a joy to work with and arranging my travel plans. It is a really big deal to have you take this off my plate and onto yours. So I am putting a slice of gratitude cake onto that plate of yours as well. From my plate to yours – in gratitude.
Anne
Mike Henry Sr. @mikehenrysr who organizes the Lead Change group is without doubt one of the most generous people I’ve met. He is in the habit of pay-it-forward before it’s even been paid to him. Mike you can have an entire cake and share it with anyone you please. Thanks for taking the initiative, the time, and the effort to make by recorded webinar available. You are the best. You can find Mike at http://leadchangegroup.com/