​Why you shouldn’t say thank you!

OK, maybe you should.

I was prompted by a story I heard on a podcast. A woman corrected her young child in a store for saying thank you to an employee that had just passed them some ice cream. The mother explained that this person had a job and that meant they did not need to say thank you.

Interesting concept and interesting parenting choice.

It challenged me.

I am a habitual thanker. Why? Is it still relevant?

Anyway I slice it, I still think it is good, but in defense of this headline and the parent…here is where I have come out.

I try to thank my team mates. I am sure I am not the easiest person to work with, but I truly appreciate what they do every day. Without them our mission would be impossible. They are the ones that do it. All of it.

The grind and the good. They are the ones to fulfill any promise I make.

I am thankful.

I really try to thank our customers. They have a choice. They have a phone book, they have Google. I see the competition. My ability to achieve my goals and dreams is directly related to the people that choose to do business with me. I am thankful. Not in an asymmetric way, but in a way that lets them know I get it. They had a choice. They did their homework, they made a choice. They are trusting us. I recognize that people don’t love making decisions.

I am thankful.

Maybe the point I am challenged by is that it shouldn’t be just words. Maybe that is the point. Maybe I use it too cheaply.

When I express thanks, am I really summing up my feelings of gratitude’s or is it an empty platitude. A bookend to a conversation.

As always the audio must match the video. What we say has to match what we do…I resolve to have my actions match my words.

Perhaps we can all engage just a little more deeply, communicate more sincerely and thank a little more. So go ahead forget the headline and say thank you, just really mean it.

​Thank you for taking the time to read this…I am grateful.