Some businesses still live by the belief that a “thank you” is for amateurs. Professionals don’t need a “thank you” because that’s what the money is for.
Logically that makes sense:
You do the work, I give you the money. We’re square.
Professionals handle things professionally. Get used to it.
And yet.
A “thank you” is one of the easiest ways to give your team a feeling of being seen.
It costs nothing to give.
It can mean the world when you receive it.
Even if you’re a professional.
Even if you know it’s not required.
Even more when it’s not expected.
It turns the transaction into an interaction.
It makes business feel a little more human.
Can you push through and deliver without a “thank you”? Certainly.
Does it feel better with the occasional one? I bet that’s true for almost everyone.
But in the end, it’s a choice, of course: you can cultivate a culture of strict duty, or one where excellence is driven by recognition and encouragement.
Who did you offer a “thank you” recently although it wasn’t required?
