Gratitude is a gift for both the receiver and the giver. It is a gift employees appreciate from managers and leaders, especially in light of overloaded plates and the very big issues leaders face on an ongoing basis. Taking the time, care and attention to express your gratitude, is in and of itself, an act of gratitude.
Gratitude Cake – Ingredients
- 1 thank you note with matching envelope
- 1 pen
- 1 stamp
- One cup gratitude (Feel free to use more, according to your taste)
- Bowl of appreciative expressions (Use this pleasant herb freely)
- 2-3 tablespoons of deed – the actions that filled you with gratitude
Substitutions: A 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. Let stand until words form. Using pen, place words on card, in 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.
In this day of text messaging, emails, and instant everything by way of the internet, taking the time to send snail mail is an act of appreciation in and of itself.
ENJOY the taste of gratitude.
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 thanking me for helping him thank others, something that is making a tremendous difference in his relationships at work.
People appreciate how meaningful it is, 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. Simply follow the recipe and be sure to identify what they did to win your appreciation…and the cake.