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DECEMBER 12

A holiday gift provides another opportunity to communicate.

MESSAGE IN A GIFT

Perhaps more important than your gift to employees this holiday season will be the card that accompanies it.

There is no substitute for a sincere thank-you from the company. Be sure all your communication surrounding your holiday gift is positive and thankful. The ultimate goal of the gift is to make sure employees feel valued and appreciated. After all, they are the ones keeping the doors open every day.

THE MORAL:

Don’t forget the card.

DECEMBER 13

Remember to say thanks to your manager.

RECOGNIZING THE BOSS

We often overlook the fact that senior managers need appreciation , too. However, with that said, it’s best to be frugal with holiday giving to your manager, to avoid the appearance of buying their love.

Limit your spending to a few dollars. And realize that, in most cases, your senior leader would be thrilled with a handwritten holiday card that expresses genuine thanks and lists the specific things he or she does to help you and your team succeed.

DECEMBER 14

Add clients to your list.

THEY’VE BEEN GOOD ALL YEAR

A holiday gift to your client tops off the year with class. A gift basket sent to the office is usually appreciated. Unique, simple works of art are always fun. Finding your clients’ favorite charities and making donations in their honor is a wonderful, personal touch. Rich Sheinaus, our book designer, gives all his clients wrapping paper he’s designed.

BAD IDEAS INCLUDE:

Making a donation to your favorite charity in their honor; giving expensive gifts when you are in the midst of or about to begin contract negotiations; giving very personal items like jewelry , perfume or underwear (O.K., no one would give underwear—would they?); and neglecting to do anything at all.

DECEMBER 15

The Dirty Dozen of Why We Don’t

EXCUSE No. 12

“I DON’T WANT TO PLAY FAVORITES”

Oh, yes you do! The biggest reason people leave a job is lack of appreciation —and that always includes top performers. Don’t lose a great employee because you are afraid of offending a mediocre member of your team. Top performers deserve all the praise and recognition you can give them. By all means, play favorites!

DECEMBER 16

“Our highest achievements come while lifting someone else into the spotlight.”

—Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton, authors

POWER LIFTING

There are two ways to reach your goals: (1) pulling everyone on your team along behind, or (2) pushing them out front and letting them carry you to your ultimate destination.

Don’t be afraid to build your employees or let them shine . It reflects well on your management abilities . And you’ll be surprised to find that there is room enough in the spotlight for your entire team.

DECEMBER 17

A reward guaranteed to make a big splash!

SEND A SEAFOOD DELICACY

Send a wonderful employee two fresh lobsters or a couple of live crabs to his home.

DECEMBER 18

A picture is worth a thousand words.

SNAP AWAY!

Establish a wall of memories with photos from recognition events like picnics and softball games , service-award banquets and weddings. With digital cameras , you can take lots of photos and it costs very little. People love to see themselves in photos (despite arguments to the contrary). It’s a great morale builder.

Buy on amazon.com >>

Gostick A., Elton Ch.

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