Thanksgiving is just around the corner! You may already be dreaming of turkey feasts, pumpkin pies, and spending time with loved ones. However, the food and family aren’t the only reasons for the season.
In preparation for Thanksgiving, consider getting into the holiday spirit by showing appreciation for the other people you spend a lot of time with—your coworkers! It’s a great way to put yourself in the Thanksgiving mood, and even boost productivity at work. A recent study by Front showed that members of high-performing teams receive nearly twice the appreciation each month from coworkers compared to other teams, and express almost 11 times more gratitude to their associates than members of lower-performing teams.
So, since showing appreciation is a win-win for the workplace, how can you spread the Thanksgiving cheer in the office this month? Luckily, showing appreciation at work doesn’t have to be as time-intensive as creating a holiday meal. Here are three simple ways you can show your coworkers you’re thankful they are a part of your life.
Write a Heartfelt Note
Did your teammate help you out with a big project recently? Did your cubicle buddy organize your shared desk space? Or did your supervisor recently celebrate a milestone anniversary? Whatever the occasion, writing a handwritten note of appreciation takes only a few minutes, but it can go a long way in making your coworkers feel appreciated. Leave a short note or a card on your coworker’s desk, and they will be sure to smile when they read it.
At LCS, our team appreciation goes the extra mile with Fond recognition and rewards. Fond is an employee rewards program that enables your employees to send points to each other, along with recognitions for hard work, major accomplishments, and more. Every quarter, each employee receives points to give away to other team members as a token of thanks or appreciation for a job well done. When an employee banks enough Fond points, they can redeem them for prizes like gift cards, LCS swag, or even additional PTO on the Fond online store. This incentive is used daily by our employees, and the recognition is shared on our Fond dashboard for everyone to see!
Demonstrate Small Acts of Kindness
If the person across from you in your cubicle always orders the same thing at Starbucks, you have an easy way to show them a small act of kindness! Picking up a coffee or treat for a coworker who has helped you out recently can be a touching way to show your appreciation. You can even get the entire team in on the fun, depending on the occasion. Birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions can be an opportunity for the team to pitch in for a larger gift or a team meal that everyone can appreciate! Besides, you can’t go wrong with food!
Say What You’re Thankful For
Sometimes we can take for granted that our coworkers know how much we value them and their talents. Simple verbal recognition in a one-on-one meeting or group discussion can go a long way. Take a moment to recognize your teammate’s contribution on a big project, or simply let them and the rest of the team know how your teammate has positively impacted you or your work. This recognition improves your working relationships overall and can foster confidence in individual teammates and the group. You can take this a step further and develop a formal awards program, where employees can present an award to another associate each month or quarter.
Fostering a culture of appreciation and inclusion in the workplace can produce happier, more productive employees. Try out some of our tips this Thanksgiving season with your coworkers, or even your friends or family! After all, it is the season to be thankful.
