20 Seconds Can Strengthen Your Leadership

Most leaders acknowledge how important it is to say, “Thank-you” when someone helps them out. But a quick thank-you doesn’t deepen the bond of trust or strengthen the relationship. If the exchange stops there, it communicates a transactional nature of the relationship – you did something nice for me so, in exchange, I say something nice to you. 

A Power Thank You (a term I picked up from Mark Goulston) has the power to deepen the bond of trust, strengthen the relationship and fortify your leadership. It only takes an extra twenty seconds of your time but the extra benefit far exceeds the extra effort.

A Power Thank You is three-fold demonstration of appreciation. One, specifically acknowledge something that was done by another person. Two, appreciate their unique contribution to get it done – effort, skill, timing. Three, tell the person the difference that his or her act made to you. 

For example, “Jim, I want to thank you for enhancing the slide deck last night. You worked extra hours and made it a much better presentation. I am super impressed with your ability to edit the slide titles and use video clips in transition. I am way more confident giving the presentation after you made your improvements and I think the Board will appreciate your work as well.”

This kind of thank-you is powerful for several reasons. One, it affirms your team member, when it comes to believing in themselves, most people are agnostic. Two, it increases performance because people that feel good about themselves produce better results. Three, it shows everyone on the team that you give credit where credit is due. Four, it affirms your leadership because everyone sees your empathy, humility and altruism.

Your number one responsibility as a leader is to strengthen the bond of trust with everyone on your team. No trust, no relationship; no relationship, no leadership. 

I agree with Dr Stephen Covey (RIP) who said, “In relationships, the little things are the big things.” Small acts of kindness and compassion deepen the bond between human hearts. The opposite is also true. Little unkindness’s or omitted courtesies repeated over time, can hinder relationships, destroy trust and hack away at your leadership.

This kind of appreciation (Power Thank You’s) can spread throughout the entire organization if modelled by the leaders consistently over time. Why not set a goal of one Power Thank You every day? You’ll be glad you did and so will your team!