If you're leading people I have a question for you: How often do you write handwritten thank you cards to the people on your teams?
Emails and verbal affirmations don't count. I am talking about sitting down and writing words on a card with a pen. There's something intimate about the act of handwriting that the person receiving the note connects with.
If you can't remember may I encourage you to start writing. Not only are you missing out on an opportunity to show gratitude but you're missing out as a leader. People aren't going to care about you, your vision, or your plans until they know you care about them. Leadership is a people thing. The sooner you let people know you appreciate them the better it's going to be for everyone.
Two years ago I set a goal of writing three thank you cards every week to the people who contribute on my ministry teams. I write them and then pray for the person I am thanking and get it into the mail.
I hope my contributors appreciate the card. I want them to know how grateful I am for each of them. But the real benefit of writing cards has been personal. The practice has helped me grow as a leader. I have come to realize every one of our contributors brings something unique to the table.
I use the time it takes me to write the card to pray for the person.During the five minutes it takes me to write the card, I am focused on the person and thinking about the things that I can do to help them grow.
Writing thank you cards is a great way to build humility into the rhythm of the leader's life.
If you do thank your team with handwritten letters, how often do you write them? I'd love to know the details.