Thank You - Thank You - Thank You

(Photo credit: Mohamed Hassan/Pixabay)

A few weeks ago, I got to spend time with a co-worker who was in town for a meeting about leadership. One would expect that members meeting to talk about leadership would lead by example. This person embodies the values of duty, respect, and integrity. I am honored to call him "friend." (For the sake of this blog, I shall call him "John.")

One thing that stands out about John, is his use of the phrase "thank you." John's use of the phrase is authentic and infectious. After a short time with John, I noticed I was following his example. Why? In his book Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups, Coyle presents strong scientific support that over-the-top thanking ignites cooperative behavior. The leadership environment that John creates definitely ignites cooperative behavior.

• Are you an over-the-top thanker?
• Do you know someone who positively affects the environment (command climate) around them with cooperative behavior?
• How might you create an attitude of gratitude that changes the culture around you?

Wildland Fire Leadership Challenge - Digging a Little Deeper

• Read Daniel Coyle's book
• Listen to Adam Grant and Francesca Gino's HBR IdeaCast, "The Big Benefits of a Little Thanks."

(Photo credit: Geralt/Pixabay)

---

About the Author: Pam McDonald is a writer/editor for BLM Wildland Fire Training and Workforce Development and member of the NWCG Leadership Subcommittee. The expressions are those of the author.