There are so many directions I can take this important topic. Let me start by thanking each of my readers for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts and perspectives with you through HRxaminer. If you are a client, I thank you for your trust. If you are a friend, I thank you for your support.

As business owners, managers, and employees, how are we showing thanks at our organizations? It sounds so simple, but it’s not.

In my training sessions on employee relations, communication and giving feedback, I regularly hear how some people struggle with recognizing the strengths, contributions, growth and success of their coworkers and employees. No news is good news to them.

There are others that are wonderful at complimenting the good work performed around them and help their people by identifying their weak areas to encourage their growth.

So where is the balance? Most of us will say, “That’s me!” I hope so. Wherever you fall on the continuum of thanking, let’s look at how we can do a better job in our workplaces as we plan to wrap up 2005.

Year-end is the perfect time to truly recognize our employees and coworkers. I challenge you to go beyond creating a holiday celebration just because it’s a holiday. It’s time to really recognize and celebrate the people, their contributions, and their successes.

Try this exercise: Make a list of all the people on your team in one column. In a second column, list all the contributions and successes each person has had this year. What made this year stand out for them? List their achievements, courses, degrees or certifications they acquired, projects they completed, sales they made, revenue they generated, customers they supported, etc.

In a third column, select 1-3 of their top accomplishments and determine how you can recognize, reward and celebrate these items.

If you’re having the usual “holiday” celebration, get more creative this year. How can you use the success list you created above to truly recognize and celebrate contributions? How can you honor and thank each person uniquely? Can you recognize people publicly for all to celebrate together? Can you create or select gifts that match their achievement? How can you involve everyone in the celebration? Can you create a setting where the celebrations are initiated by the team and not just by you?

In my college dorm (many many years ago) we did Secret Santa, giving gifts and clues to one member of the floor to keep them laughing and guessing. How about trying Secret Celebrations this year – with each employee receiving the name of a coworker and spending a week giving secret thanks for the contributions they made. Of course, somehow make it not so secret so that the achievements are ultimately celebrated as a team.

Move giving thanks to a new level at your organization!

Copyright © 2005 Arlene Vernon, HRx, Inc.