March 2nd is Employee Appreciation Day

Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A’s President and COO, has said, “Successful leaders view the journey more like the captain of a sailboat, relying on their skill and know-how, but knowing all along that the wind (help from othersources) is the force that will get them to their destination.”  In successful businesses, goals are not met alone but with a team working together as a fine-tuned machine.

A business and its employees will only be as strong as their leadership.  Employees require suitable guidance to be effective with their skills.  An indecisive, careless leader will only create confusion and idleness.  The continuing changes in our economy with the lull in business development dictate the necessity for contemporary training and quality ingenuity.  A good leader knows to provide the tools then step back and allow their employees shine.  Once employees are armed with the proper expertise, limitless possibilities will flourish.  Fruitful leaders look to employ individuals with a hunger for achievement.  S. Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A, is quoted to say, “It is when we stop doing our best work that our enthusiasm for the job wanes. We must motivate ourselves to do our very best, and by our example lead others to do their best as well.”

Effective employees keep the hunger for achievement burning in their belly and will use it as their driving force to attain greatness.  Hard, productive work should be recognized when executed as expected.  An individual should identify their great effort and feel a sense of pride for their accomplishment.  Often times, recognition is sought from those who implore them to reach their goal.  It is human nature to seek gratitude.  In contrast, in a selfless manner, gratitude must be extended from a managerial standpoint.  Otherwise, a decrease in productivity and morale will be noticed rapidly.  Quality production is reciprocated throughgratitude.  Leaders are mentors and should leave absolutely no room for hypocrisy.  Leaders receive praise, glory and applause for work produced by their staff.   A great leader will turn around and allow those who lift him up to soak in the accolades.

March 2nd is Employee Appreciation Day.  How do you think your employer will thank you?  Will you be treated to lunch?  Or perhaps a complete day off with pay?    In my early 20s I worked in an administrative role within a Marketing Department.  I reported for work expecting it to be like any other busy, productive day.  Upon my arrival my manager informed me that I would join my three colleagues for a day off, to enjoy lunch and a minor league baseball game.  I was thrilled to be given such a wonderful treat.  After a great lunch, on a patio beside a river, we took in an energetic game played by the minor league team.  Do you know what my best gift and memory was from that day?  Still, to this day, I can clearly envision my Marketing Manager sitting at his desk fielding phone calls, tending  to customer conflicts, setting up new client accounts and all else I managed to complete within a single workday.  Knowing my supervisor was me for the day was all the gift I needed, all else was icing on the cake.

Let us know what you would like to receive as recognition on March 2nd, Employee Appreciation Day.  Leave a comment with your suggestions.  This is also a great opportunity for local businesses to give suggestions to other leaders as to what their company can offer as well.  As the Marketing Manager of Loganville’s Chick-fil-A, I will happily suggest lunch for your employees.  You have several options from visiting the restaurant, to providing boxed lunches, or perhaps go the length with an entire food spread with party trays.  For other ideas, locally, we have fun gift shops, salons, masseuses, restaurants, fitness memberships, and much more.  I would be remiss if I did not add that I appreciate all the folks working in the Loganville area who provide us with the best community in Georgia.  Keep up the great work!