💙 8 Ways to SHOW Gratitude to Your Team

Hello and Happy Tuesday!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent the last four days with the Wicked soundtrack blasting - my former theater kid heart growing ten sizes out of pure joy. Anyone else? I got the chance to see an early preview last Monday with a couple members of the WTWT team and we could not stop grinning and gabbing as we walked out of the theater

.Of course, in true neurotypical fashion, this lead to me going down a rabbit hole of Wicked cast and crew member interviews. And WOW. Did you know that they planted nine million tulips, actually built that train, and sang every dang minute live?!? The love and investment that went into making such an incredible masterpiece shines through in every way. But one thing in particular stood out to me: it took a village. Well, in their case, likely a handful of villages…but I digress.

No one builds something incredible alone.

The best efforts have been touched by multiple perspectives and specialties before being brought fully to life. I know I’ve personally experienced this myself this year, as I’ve finally been at a stable enough place to bring in the support of some incredible individuals. I can tell you - without question - that Want To Work There wouldn’t be what it is today without each and every one of them.

Something tells me you have of those people on your team too.

Today we're sharing a few different ways you can thank your team members, which you can mix and match depending on your workplace culture and relationship with each person. The new person on the team that’s been picking things up super quickly may get a different kind of thanks than the person that’s been by your side through ups and downs for years - and that’s okay! In fact, it makes your gratitude even more special when it’s customized to the individual.

The ideas below are great tips for celebrating employees this month, and we close out this issue with some ways you can make gratitude a regular part of your workplace culture. After all, who says you have to wait until November to give thanks?

And, of course, I’d also like to thank YOU for all the work YOU do to ensure there are more workplaces where people matter and for being the kind of person who cares about this stuff as much as I do. I'm so grateful to consider you a member of the Want To Work There community. We truly are better together. ❤️

Yours with heaps of gratitude,

Jill

P.S. As we approach the end of the month, please remember that not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving. On LinkedIn yesterday, I shared an alternative to saying “Enjoy your Thanksgiving” before you break for the holiday weekend.

Gratitude comes in many forms, and the way you express it can say as much as the actual message. Whether it’s a heartfelt note or a public acknowledgment, your approach can reflect your team’s culture, your connection with each individual, and the depth of your thanks. Here are a few thoughtful ways to show your appreciation:

Give them something tangible

If your company has a budget for employee appreciation, here are a couple good ways to use up the 2024 balance:

1. Use a gift-giving service. One of our favorites is loop & tie, because not only do they source gifts from small and under-recognized makers, but it's also a super unique way to give gifts. You (as the sender) choose a collection to gift - at your price-point of choice - and the recipient gets to choose a gift from that selection! (Might we recommend the LGBTQ+ Owned collection?) And if it turns out they don’t want a physical gift, they can always pay it forward to a charity of their choice. As a gift to our readers, they’re offering 15% off your first 10 gifts with code WTWT15!

2. Give them a bonus. You may or may not have a lot of control over this process, but it’s worth giving it some thought. How are bonuses calculated at your company? Is that process transparent to employees? Is it fair and equitable? If your company doesn’t currently provide bonuses, is it something you could bring up for discussion in 2025 planning meetings? Additional compensation is the #1 way a company can show gratitude to its employees, and let’s be honest, end-of-year bonuses are everyone’s favorite holiday tradition!

Thank them

If your budget is tight, there are plenty of free or inexpensive ways to show your gratitude:

1. Say it out loud. Public acknowledgement is a meaningful way to thank someone for a job well done. It can boost the morale not just of the recipient, but even that of the whole team to see someone get the recognition they deserve. This could be a shout-out in a all-hands meeting, or you could start your next team check-in by reading off a list of something impactful that each person contributed this past year.

2. Put it in writing. Handwritten cards or thoughtfully drafted emails can be truly impactful. It’s also likely that the recipient will save it and read it again in the future. Speaking from experience - it means a lot for someone to receive a personalized note from a supervisor or coworker.

3. Record a personalized voice memo or video. Maybe speaking from the heart is more your style than writing it out. If that’s the case, take a minute and record a quick message and send it over. I’d recommended jotting down a couple notes you want to touch on, but to not make it sound too rehearsed - your off-the-cuff remarks are likely to come across as more sincere.

Create a “kudos” culture

We’ve provided some ideas for one-off displays of gratitude, but you don’t need to wait for this time of year to roll around to do it. Here are some ways you can foster a culture of giving credit where it’s due throughout the year:

1. Put it on the agenda. One company I’ve worked with had a collaborative agenda that all employees could add to in advance of their weekly team meetings, and one section was reserved for shout-outs. Anyone at the company could use this space to dole out timely praise for a job well done.

2. Bring back Employee of the Month. Consider creating a simple process for team members to nominate someone to be employee of the month and to provide a reason or to why that person deserves it - you might also tie this to your company values to keep those top of mind. At the end of the month, share all submissions with those nominated, whether they win or not.

3. Use your tech. Many workplace systems have a shoutout function built in - including Microsoft Teams, Slack (through apps), and employee experience tools like Lattice and CultureAmp. Check with your admins to make sure these tools are enabled so your team can start using them!

 Things We're Loving Right Now 

Gorgeous greeting cards. A member of our team loves to shop at Red Cap Cards toward the end of every year. They curate their collection of cards and gift wrap from independent artists, and browsing their site is like visiting a virtual art exhibit. It’s a great place to stock up on cards for all occasions so you have unique, beautiful cards to send as needs arise throughout the year.

Holiday craft therapy. Making handmade ornaments or other holiday activities with your kids, your friends, or by yourself is a fun and festive way to relax. One of our team members just hosting a "crafternoon" with some friends to make felt ornaments and it was a great way to jump-start a little holiday spirit!

The Wicked Soundtrack. Can’t stop, won’t stop, listening to this soundtrack