Most leaders don’t know it, but the way they’re thanking their team is actually self- and team-defeating. Before making an error that is at best as useful as watering the ocean, or at worst as appreciated as making a “tiny correction” to the Mona Lisa, stop thanking your team.
Here’s why.
People want to make a difference. It’s what defines and realizes us. To everyone besides your mom, you are what you do. Even in a team people want to know that they, personally, are making a meaningful contribution. It’s not just the most motivation a person can have – it’s the only true motivation there is (Hertzberg, 1959). One of the biggest problems leaders have is thanking their team too much.
You have this problem, too.
When you thank someone for their work, you think you’re expressing genuine appreciation. But “genuine” is in the eye of the beholder. And for 90% of the “thanks” out there, you’re not doing it right (authentically). In fact, you’re actually making things worse.
To be a great leader you’ve got to stop thanking your team – at least the way most do. Most feel an irrepressible need to add on to “thanks” with some thoughts of their own.
Bad move.
stop at "thanks."
If anything more than gratitude is expressed, all they’ll hear is “BUT.” Just stop at “thanks.”
With one exception.
Your thanks will be most impactful if you are able to fully subordinate yourself to the other’s act or idea.
Your thanks will be most impactful if you are able to fully subordinate yourself to the other’s act or idea. The best way to do this is with a simple nod that says “tell me more.” (Or you can actually say the words).
Next to making a difference, and actually a form of it, people need to feel a sense of power. Not necessarily via pure dominance, but yes, by some means of rising above others. High potential workers are especially motivated by power. The power to make a difference through others.
So, why does thanking your team actually demotivate them?
First – You’re recognizing the obvious
You demote and demean the high potential by thanking them for something that they feel is their normal order of business. It’s like telling someone, “Thanks, Mary. You’re very articulate.” To most this is a “left-handed” compliment at best, judgement in disguise. To some it’s an outright slap in the face.
NEVER thank someone for something that the target of thanks believes is an innate capability of theirs. I use the word, “thank” but the general act is one of praise. Be very careful that when you allocate praise that it is for something truly extraordinary. Something you REALLY appreciate, as in, “you really saved my @ss”.
Second – You’re improving "good enough"
You hijack – or “seize and one up” the individual’s contribution. Yep, by thanking someone you are basically saying, “I know that was a valuable contribution because I already know {have done, etc), ….”
Have you ever edited someone else’s email? (you know what I'm talking about then)
This may be a bit of a stretch presented as is. Let me offer another example to illustrate the harm in “blessing” another’s work.
TEAM MEMBER: “We should put gears on the engine.”
LEADER: “That's a great idea {because I gave it to you}. Thanks. That will also help us to make more ground rutabaga.”
TM to Self: {“I know it’s a great idea, Jughead, that’s what I deliver. Why can’t you leave it alone?”}
This power move takes (seizes) Team Member’s idea by acknowledging (“You’re right”) and taking it where it wasn’t going (hijacks it).
Don’t think you do this? Have you ever edited someone else’s email?
Moving on.
Third – You don’t really mean it
Some people are inveterate "Thankers." They thank someone for stepping on their toe. Over thanking is dilutive. The more you thank someone, the less they hear it or appreciate it (and you).
Did you know that you can stop your squawk box, I mean, “Alexa”, from repeating everything you tell it? Google it. I bet you will because you get sick of hearing your echo every time you give an order?
YOU: “Alexa, turn on the lights.”
ALEXA: “Sure, I’ve turned on the lights.”
YOU: “No duh. I can see that.”
ALEXA: “Sorry, I don’t know what you mean.”
Alexa’s no good-natured woman, she’s a heartless hockey puck.
You get sick of hearing the same words. You get sick of hearing the same intonation. You realize Alexa’s no good-natured woman, she’s a heartless hockey puck. (AI still has a long way to go).
Yep. This is what over thanking sounds like to your team – a hockey puck. Enough already!
The science of motivation (simple version of Victor Vroom's Expectancy Theory)
In Physics, Work = Force x Displacement.
In Psychology, Valued Work = Quality x Instrumentality. (this is a 3rd person derivative of V. Vroom, 1964)
People want to deliver value at work. Let them do it.
Properly motivated, most deliver a quality product that makes a difference. People want to deliver value at work. Let them do it. Don’t stick your finger in a humming machine. Save your gratitude for the truly unexpected result and avoid over engineering another's pride.
Oh. And thanks for being a good reader.
Google can’t solve all problems. For hands on expertise, get in touch with me at Talentlift. (You can click the word. It won’t send an email or make a call).
Psychways is owned and produced by Talentlift, LLC.