Gratitude demotivates when done poorly. Disingenuous appreciation insults performance. Thanks for minimal effort honors mediocrity.
Gratitude that honors heart can’t go wrong. Affirm results and honor heart.
Honor heart:
Notice the person, not just results. What do you admire about them? What character traits fuel their performance?
- You work with someone who always goes the extra mile. What’s behind their drive? Is it determination, generosity, or pride in their craftsmanship?
- Consider the employee who supports colleagues. What motivates them? Empathy, humility, perhaps enthusiasm for team success?
- Think of a team member who consistently asks challenging questions. What trait underlies this behavior? Curiosity, courage, or a commitment to integrity?
- Reflect on the colleague who handles setbacks with grace. What’s driving this response? Resilience, optimism, or emotional intelligence?
Deepen gratitude by seeing and naming attributes. Move beyond thanks for tasks—honor heart.
Illustration:
I noticed a young man helping people carry stuff for a picnic. He made several trips from the parking lot to the pavilion. After the picnic I said, “You seem to enjoy meeting needs.” He smiled. I said, “It’s part of who you are.”
I continued, “Everyone else was relaxing and enjoying conversations. But you watched people arrive and went to help. That’s impressive.”
He carried bags, coolers, and chairs that day. Everyone said thank you. Help is useful. Heart is compelling.
How to honor heart:
- Talk about the energy it took to produce results.
- Respect the positive motivations that got the job done.
- Explain the emotional impact of results. “When you…, others feel….”
- Say, “When you …, I feel proud you’re on our team.”
- Ask yourself, “What unnoticed attitudes or behaviors did it take to get this job done?” Talk about those things.
You fuel energy when you honor heart.
What’s the heart that drives your performance?
Reflect on your team members and colleagues. What might be their heart motivations?
