Have you ever noticed that sometimes the most simple gestures can be so profound? Have you ever had a stranger brighten your day with a wave or a smile? Recently we were driving home from shopping and our car pulled up next to a very worn down public bus. In the window next to our car was a mother and two young girls. The mother encouraged these adorable girls to wave to us. We waved back, causing them to bounce up and down with delight and wave more vigorously at us. This made our day.
Something so simple, yet it touches our hearts. I realize that I personally do not reach out to others as I should. I get so caught up int he day that I do not stop to thank people enough, to connect with them, to let them know that I really do appreciate all that they do, and that I appreciate them just for who they are.
This year I want to challenge myself to thank at least one member of my staff daily. One word of encouragement is so simple for me, yet can have huge impacts on the lives of others. I say “thank you” – they feel loved, supported, appreciated, noticed. It makes a difference and I realize that I cannot afford not to take these steps. When people are thanked and praised it opens a door for deeper relationships, trust, and the opportunity for personal growth.
The other thing I am going to challenge myself to do this year is connect with my staff members on a more personal level. My goal is to have every staff member over for dinner at my home at some point during the school year (we have @ 30 staff members). This is doable, particularly if I invite them in small groups. I think this more intimate time is also important, seeing each other outside the work environment, as humans, and focusing on things other than school life.
Today, 202 days ’til 40 I am going to remind myself to reach out to others, connect with them, and let them know how thankful I am that they are part of my life and community.
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
buckwheatsrisk
August 3, 2012 at 00:15
staff moral is much better too then and that’s good for everyone!
400daystil40
August 4, 2012 at 00:55
Yes, that is so true!
Sid Dunnebacke
August 3, 2012 at 04:20
That story about the little girls waving just makes me smile.
400daystil40
August 4, 2012 at 00:55
Me too! 🙂
A Table in the Sun
August 3, 2012 at 05:31
Big goals, but oh so important…building real relationships.
400daystil40
August 4, 2012 at 00:55
Yes, and I think the relationships make such a difference!
viveka
August 3, 2012 at 13:26
Going back to too many years ago – I was attending a seminar in working relationship – there I learned that it’s the small details that we should pick up from our staff and colleagues – like that their cat is sick .. or they are going away somewhere over the weekend – and then ask questions about the issues – bad or good … that make people feel special, that we remember things that are personal – this has stayed to me all those years and I have lived and worked by that rule ever since. To show that we care .. is so important. I wasn’t easy to have as a boss – very high in demand – but I think it was that I care for things in my staffs personal life – that made them work so hard and be loyal to me.
400daystil40
August 4, 2012 at 00:56
Wow, what a great tip and so very true…. remembering those small details really does let a person know how much you care about them. Great reminder! Thank you!!! 🙂
viveka
August 4, 2012 at 09:29
It works … and it make us feel very special if somebody remember something that is personal.
Like a restaurant in Belfast – the manager remembered me coming back after 6 months. He even remember what wine I ordered. Guess, I felt special – he could have tricked me – because I didn’t remember what wine I had. Didn’t matter …
400daystil40
August 4, 2012 at 22:53
Wow, that was amazing! I hope it was genuine and he did not trick you 🙂 I do think it makes a difference, so I am going to work to do it daily.
viveka
August 5, 2012 at 08:39
I don’t know … it was a very busy place – anyhow he made me feel very special. Good luck to you.
The Presents of Presence
August 3, 2012 at 15:16
Why don’t you send your staff members a heartfelt card telling them why they are so important and special to you and to your company? Imagine how special they would feel when amongst the bills/junk mail, was a personal note from you thanking and praising them? I did a 30 day gratitude challenge ~ sending a card a day to someone to whom I was grateful ~ it changed my life! Let me know if you’re interested…it was easy, fun & inexpensive ~ and the results were priceless! xo
400daystil40
August 4, 2012 at 00:57
Wow, the presents of presence, thank you for the GREAT idea! I love it!
theinboxjaunt
August 3, 2012 at 15:25
Reminds of the saying, “No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.” Loved your post.
400daystil40
August 4, 2012 at 00:57
Great quote – thank you for sharing it! (and for the compliment!)
The Quiet Borderline (back in hospital)
August 3, 2012 at 15:43
As always, you’re an inspiration.
400daystil40
August 4, 2012 at 00:58
Thank you so much – I really appreciate all of your words of encouragement! 🙂
ssgt leslie
August 3, 2012 at 17:28
wow, you hit it on the nail on the top…great post, thanks for sharing. so true, lizzy[my service dog] and i was on the nyc bus the other day, going to the local va medical center. i manage to get lizzy under the seats, usually i dont chat with people on the bus, this time i did, i noticed a young lady cheek kissing an older lady,[american-italians] i mentioned the other cheek. that started the converstation about life in sicily and italy…does not cost or hurt us to be nice, one act of kindness goes a long way…
400daystil40
August 4, 2012 at 00:59
Yes, you are very right! That little act of kindness can change a person’s day and make a strong impact in their life.
ssgt leslie
August 4, 2012 at 02:08
maybe we can start off with one day doing one act of kindness, as a nation. what do you think?!
400daystil40
August 4, 2012 at 22:47
I love this idea!
ssgt leslie
August 5, 2012 at 15:24
i should have given proper credit to: The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of righteous memory, the seventh leader in the Chabad-Lubavitch dynasty, is considered to have been the most phenomenal Jewish personality of modern times. here is a link from cnn news 1991
http://www.chabad.org/therebbe/livingtorah/player_cdo/aid/490071/jewish/Acts-of-Goodness-and-Kindness.htm
take care, may you have a good week… leslie and lizzy
dogsmum
August 3, 2012 at 22:19
Hi, thanks for ‘liking ‘ my Man Cake recipe xx
400daystil40
August 4, 2012 at 00:59
You are welcome! Thank you for stopping by.
photographybycalliec
August 3, 2012 at 23:34
Love what you have written about, it doesn’t cost us anything to bring happiness to some one else and this creates much joy within ourselves. I find if you walk down the street with a smile on your face people either smile back or say hello, my daughter used to say “who’s that mum” I have no idea, I would say, “why did they say hello”?
I think, what we give out comes back to us… I’m sure your staff would think it special to be invited to your place for dinner.
Cheers Callie
400daystil40
August 4, 2012 at 01:00
Such a great point – yes, people do notice and respond when you smile at them – it indeed makes a difference! I agree with you that my staff will be happy to receive invitations, in fact, everyone who I invited for the first round said yes – I hope they have a good time!
photographybycalliec
August 4, 2012 at 02:00
Im sure you will all have a great time.
walkwiththerabbi
August 4, 2012 at 04:36
Wonderful objective for the year and the law of cause and effect will be operating powerfully in your favor. It’s going to be a new season for you in ways you cannot yet fathom. I’m excited for you and yours. By the way – it’s been a while since I told you how much I enjoy your posts. A lot!
400daystil40
August 4, 2012 at 23:02
I hope so! Thank you so much for the words of encouragement and I hope that, indeed, I will see a new season emerge….. it is time 🙂
transitionscoachingcayman
August 6, 2012 at 14:33
Good resolution. It is so important to be appreciated, and some people receive no appreciation for days, months, or years at a time.
400daystil40
August 6, 2012 at 23:20
Very true (sad, but true).
Worth Commenting
August 7, 2012 at 11:20
this is wonderful and so many forget GRATITUDE.
400daystil40
August 7, 2012 at 20:57
It is easy to forget – sadly.