The Power of Thank You

Gratitude is the key to an open heart- for yourself and for the one you are sharing gratitude with.

The two most undervalued words in the English language are 'Thank you.'

We don't say them enough. More importantly, we don't show them enough.

A few years into my first leadership role I began a practice that I've done my best to use over the past 20 years. I began this practice after telling someone 'thank you' for coming to work one day.

They looked at me and stated 'Mitch, I have to come to work.' I responded, 'no you don't. You don't have to do anything. But you chose to come to work. You made the conscious effort to get dressed, get in your car, and come to work. No one made you do that- so thank you.'

They were dumbfounded.

I have used this approach to show gratitude toward others with other professionals, high school students, athletes, volunteers, my own children, and myself.

And it works.

When someone gives you a sincere 'thank you,' your spirit soars!

Share a simple 'thank you' at the end of each day with your team. Thank them individually for something specific they did that day. Be sincere. Be meaningful. Share the emotion you feel knowing this team of people are helping build a culture of success.

Gratitude can take a difficult day and turn it into gold.

Because gratitude is the key to an open heart and open mind.