The last few weeks of the calendar year are often filled with gatherings, fun, and fellowship. Many of us give and receive monetary or tangible gifts to acknowledge contribution, respect, friendship, love, and a shared commitment or purpose.
Yet, of course, the gift of giving need not be confined to giving-themed holidays or a specific time of year. In fact, leaders (and indeed, all humans) should actively acknowledge others' contributions to their personal and professional success, all year long.
Research confirms that surprise gifts deliver outsized impact.
Not all gifts come in a box or bag with a fancy bow. It’s an action. The colleague you rarely work with steps in to help on a critical project. A friend from the past reaches out after years of distance. An unexpected note arrives in the mail. A demanding boss acknowledges your work. Each of these gifts sparks an extra jolt of pleasure, because the action is unexpected. (See here.)
Connection and people are at the heart of good strategy execution.
Too often, leaders celebrate the new and different and fail to remember the consistent, faithful contributors. Think of the solid performers on your team. High professionals deliver quality work on time, all the time. Consider your long-standing customers and referral partners. These folks routinely enhance your business.
Connection has rarely been more valued or valuable than it is today. (Read more here.) Leaders who make a point of acknowledging others’ contributions typically garner respect and certainly, strengthen relationships. Perhaps this is because the habit is more rare than it should be. Or the response may be driven by the growing challenge of connecting meaningfully and bringing people together in our increasingly divided world. In both cases, the simple act of connection has the power to surprise, thus amplifying its impact.
Giving. Connection. Acknowledgement. None is about a holiday. Or the end of the year. Or metrics. It’s about celebrating the people, relationships, and community that matter most to you, in ways that matter most to them.
Importantly, ensure your gift of giving includes all contributors, both novel and conventional.
In this spirit: Surprise!
Here’s a gift for you to accelerate performance: Strategy in a Minute™
Perhaps share it with your team, colleagues, and customers. Give them the gift of a more effective strategy.
Because everyone wins when strategy works.