Have you said thank you today?

By Jill King, Former HR Director, Linklaters

Employee engagement is big business these days. And it’s a top priority for most firms, conscious of the demands that they place on their associates at a time when promotion prospects are at an all-time low.

In response to this issue, there has been a proliferation of staff surveys and expensive partner training programmes. But, in my experience, it’s the little things that make the big difference; not exactly random acts of kindness, but spontaneous acts of appreciation.

Rather than focusing on ways to motivate associates, my belief is that firms and their partners should focus on avoiding de-motivating their associates – it’s all about the things you don’t do, '¨rather than the things you do.

Most professionals are naturally self-motivated. They set themselves high standards, want to do their very best '¨and thrive on challenge and success. So, while it’s tempting to try to push performance to even higher standards, understanding how easily that natural '¨self-motivation can be destroyed is '¨a much more fruitful lesson.

When you have worked long hard hours, overcome difficulties and made personal sacrifices to achieve results, '¨it is soul destroying to feel that no one '¨has noticed or appreciated your efforts. '¨By contrast, small personal touches and acts of thoughtfulness can build loyalty '¨and renew energy in an instant.

I remember a newly-elected partner telling me the story of when she was a trainee. In the early hours of the morning, in the midst of a gruelling transaction, a senior partner offered to complete the document review she was working on and made her a cup of tea. All those years later, she had never forgotten how appreciated that had made her feel, and she was determined to apply the same thoughtfulness to her own team members.

Noticing when associates have gone out of their way to complete a matter with a thank you and a smile goes a long way, as does putting your head around each associate’s door as you leave the building to see how they are doing.

Remembering when an associate has an important event that he needs to leave on time for and buying cakes or drinks when the going gets tough are the ways great leaders motivate others and create great esprit de corps. A bunch of daffodils on the desk or a grateful voicemail message is all it takes for most of us to pick ourselves up and want to achieve even greater things as part of a team.

It’s infectious once you start – and nothing is more rewarding than knowing that you have made someone’s day.

jillking1@virginmedia.com