When we recognize the investment of time — the sacrifice — people have made to engage with us, to do something that improves the company, they need to be acknowledged. A sincere, heartfelt thank you speaks volumes.

An effective, sincere "thank-you" does not require anything special — no drama, no pageantry or pomp and circumstance.

It just needs to be real.

Start by considering the many individual interactions encountered each day in a different light. What did the other person invest into the effort? What was asked of them? And in return, what value did they bring? Taking a moment to truly consider the other person often reveals genuine appreciation for their efforts. That's the perfect time to express gratitude with a simple and direct "thanks!"

Master these two words, "thank you," and make a commitment to practice their use to lead the way and show gratitude for the contributions the people we serve make.