“The most neglected form of compensation is the six-letter word thanks.”
– Robert Townsend, former Amex and Avis executive and author of Up the Organization
“What we’ve found is that exceptional leaders lead with gratitude, they pause to feel and express it first, because they have discovered that this is an essential way to improve organizational life, and they know that the feeling of appreciation will come back to them twofold.”
– Robert K. Cooper and Aymen Sawaf, Executive EQ: Emotional Intelligence in Leadership and Organizations
“Celebration is given high priority in both organizations (Wal-Mart and Southwest Airlines). Although this may often engage employees in what some would regard as ‘hokey’ behavior, it is memorable to participants and communicates the importance of people. Celebration, to the extent that it contributes to the quality of work life, may help explain why both of these companies achieve extraordinary productivity when compared with their peers.”
– James Heskett, The Culture Cycle: How to Shape the Unseen Force that Transforms Performance
“Brains, like hearts, go where they are appreciated”
– Robert McNamara, former American business executive and Secretary of Defence
“… one study found that project teams with encouraging managers performed 31 percent better than teams whose managers were less positive and less open with praise. In fact, when recognition is specific and deliberately delivered, it is even more motivating than money.”
– Shawn Achor, The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work
“Personalized feedback and recognition aren’t just ‘frills’ that make workers feel good. Rather, they are crucial predictors of positive workplace outcomes such as employee retention and productivity.”
– Sam Crabtree “What Your Employees Need to Know”, Gallup Management Journal
“Studies show that organizational leaders who share positive emotions have workgroups with, a more positive mood, enhanced job satisfaction, greater engagement, and improved performance… Shine a Light on What Is Right. Try focusing on what employees or peers do right rather than where they need improvement, and discover the power of reinforcing good behaviours… Reverse the Golden Rule. Instead of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” you should “Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.” Individualization is key when filling others’ buckets.”
– Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, How Full Is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies for Work and Life
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
– William Arthur Ward, former American author and professional speaker
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