30 Ways to Share Gratitude With Your Team
Cultivator Clemens Wan writes Lists of 30s for breakfast. When he told me he would write a list of 30 ways to grow a virtual community, I made a calendar reminder to follow up with him about it in two weeks. He had it published in less than 24 hours.
I’m grateful for Clemens because when he shows up for something, he shows up fully. When Clemens is attending one of our Cultivators Community virtual events, he always brings good energy and insightful questions. With a little inspiration from Clemens and Thanksgiving fast approaching, I whipped up (albeit, it took me more than 24 hours) a list of 30 ways you can share gratitude with your team.
1. Send a handwritten note.
Don't you love getting mail that isn't a bill or a new credit card offer or an old tenant who never changed their address? A handwritten note is a simple way to send thanks, share appreciation, and make someone feel good.
2. Better yet, send a handwritten note signed by your whole team.
One of my favorite managers used to get the entire team to hand sign your birthday card. Our group spanned two cities 2,300 miles a part, requiring a bit more planning on her end. It was a great way to make the team feel more connected.
3. No stamps or lousy handwriting? Try Handwrytten.
I used to be terrified of going to the post office to ask for stamps (yes, this is a millennial talking), so stumbling upon something like Handwrytten was really like stumbling upon a pot of gold.
4. Venmo your teammate $5 for a cup o' Joe
A simple yet effective way to say you're on my mind.
5. Starbucks makes it easy, too.
The Starbucks e-gift card is great when all you have is an email address and a 0% clue where they live (otherwise, support local).
6. Leave a voice message via Animoji.
Brownie points if you know what their favorite animal is.
7. Make a funny (but appreciative) JibJab video.
JibJab is mostly known for their holiday elves eCards, but you can make all kinds of JibJab's. Like this TGIF 1969 dance party!
8. Collaborate with the rest of your team to create an appreciation video.
Like this one, we made for our colleague Kris who just celebrated her first anniversary with Cultivate.
9. Start with gratitude round-robin before all-hands.
In digital spaces, it's a lot harder to feel the energy. Sharing bits of gratitude before diving into work-related agenda items allows the entire "room" to loosen up and feel the good vibes.
10. Give your team time off just 'cause.
Eventbrite recently announced that the company would have one Friday off a month to just ~chill out~. Let us not forget the 4-day work week pitch, either!
11. Encourage peer recognition by creating a communication channel for celebrations.
I don't want to live in a world where Slack messages like this don't exist.
12. Send a thoughtful gift.
Is it thoughtful if the internet hands you 79 unique gift ideas on a silver platter?
13. Upload a custom Zoom background celebrating a team member’s accomplishment and use it for the entire day.
Please send your appreciation Zoom backgrounds to molly@cultivateall.com. Many thanks.
14. Leave a note of thanks in their inbox for the next day.
Here are 40 different things you can say.
15. Create a habit of peer-led “shout-outs” during team meetings.
The key here is not to make it a thing. Don’t tell your team that you’re doing “shout-outs” now. Just starting doing them and see what happens.
16. Publish a team celebration series on your social media.
Like this! It encourages others outside of your organization to share gratitude & appreciation as well.
17. Offer to take a task off a team member’s plate.
Better yet, make the offer specific.
18. Invest in professional development opportunities.
Is there a program or online course one of your team members has their eye on?
19. Get their favorite celebrity to give them a shout via Cameo.
A video from Carole Baskin only costs $300!
20. Hire a vector artist on Fiverr and make them a superhero graphic of themselves.
Who wouldn’t love to see themselves in a superhero illustration, accompanied by their spirit animal?!
21. Send them a Book of the Month gift card.
Books are still cool.
22. Buy them a car!
(Just kidding. Glad you made it this far.)
23. Donations
Does someone on your team donate a percentage of their paycheck each month to a non-profit or charity? Consider matching their donation for a month or two.
24. Change your Slack status into a team member shout out.
See left for photo evidence.
25. Create a word cloud.
Ask your team to submit qualities they appreciate about a certain colleague and upload it to this website for free.
26. Send a fig tree. That’s what my boss did.
(He did not realize he sent an entire fig tree).
27. No one hates treats showing up at their doorstep.
If Tiffs Treats is not in your area, first, I’m terribly sorry. Second, there’s probably a very suitable alternative option.
28. Feature a team member’s perspective on the company blog.
Nothing feels better than knowing your employer or teammates care & value what you have to say.
29. Highlight a team member on your company’s about page.
Use it as a chance to share more about this person than their job title and LinkedIn page.
30. You know, just say thanks.
It’s that simple.
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