There’s thanks and there’s authentic gratitude
Here’s the difference
On my way out the door to this holiday weekend, I received an unexpected note.
A 5pm work message is usually one to dread, but this turned out to be a couple of thoughtful lines from a colleague thanking me for being me and appreciating them for being them. It had nothing to do with what I bring to the table professionally and that meant everything.
So much of our dialogue at work and even at home these days is transactional — Did you see my email? Can you pick up the kids? — and what passes for thanks is no exception. It’s often empty and mechanical like the auto-populated ending to our emails.
But that’s what makes authentic gratitude all the more powerful. When it’s brought on by introspection rather than compulsion, it’s meaningful and memorable. When it’s about who someone is and not what they have to offer, they’re going to feel it bone deep.
So even if today’s round of speed gratitude feels a bit pro forma, take some time to be thoughtful, make it personal, and surprise your fellow guests with something real.