By Donnell E. Johns Sr.
Thank you! It sounds too simple to matter; however, it’s one of the best ways to recognize success if it’s genuine and timely. Often we point out the things that go wrong and rarely show gratitude for success.
Napoleon Bonaparte said, “give me enough medals, and I’ll win any war.” Imagine if we applied that philosophy to everyday life, work, and our relationships.
By saying thank you, what you are really saying is, “I like and appreciate the action, the behavior and/or the gestures.” You are teaching people what you want and how to treat you in a positive way.
If leaders would always make a conscientious effort to add value and to love their team, they could sit back and watch their productivity, as well as their personal health and happiness, soar to new heights.
If you have employees, take one hour a week to get to know your team, thank them for their contributions, call them on their birthdays, check on them when they’re in the hospital, etc. According to the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, “gratitude is strongly linked to mental health and life satisfaction. Grateful people experience more joy, love, and enthusiasm, and they enjoy protection from destructive emotions like envy, greed, and bitterness.”
As the Recruiting and Retention Command Sergeant Major, I developed an onboarding and offboarding program, which allowed the senior leaders to recognize both new and seasoned soldiers. The senior leaders could engage with new soldiers who just graduated from training as well as seasoned members who have less than a year left on their contract.
The senior leaders would show gratitude with a handshake, a thank you, and a sincere request to them to continue their service. This program directly improved our recruiting and retention ranking to number two in the nation and only took 30 minutes a month.
It costs the Army $100,000 to train a new soldier, and even more for a soldier with six years or more. A thank you and a handshake saved the Army millions of dollars. Imagine what gratitude can save you and your organization.
Saying “thank you” shows value!
Donnell E. Johns Sr. is the Founder of Avision Worldwide, LLC, a leadership development consultancy that specializes in apprenticeship inside organizations. Avision Worldwide works alongside the key leaders and team members of organizations, training them using visual leadership tools that are both memorable and transferable, and developing them to become leaders worth following. He is also CoFounder of the Leadership and Laughter Workshop.
Recent Stories
Since August 2024, Potomac Local News has seen significant growth in our email newsletter readership, with our audience expanding from 14,747 subscribers in August to 18,252 subscribers in February 2025.
(AP) — Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Sunday and predicted six more weeks of wintry weather, his top-hatted handlers announced to a raucus, record-sized crowd at Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania.
Phil was welcomed with chants of “Phil, Phil, Phil,” and pulled from a hatch on his tree stump shortly after sunrise before a member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club read from a scroll in which he boasted: “Only I know — you can’t trust A.I.”
At approximately 2:45 P.M. on Saturday, February 1st, units with Stafford County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) responded to a reported structure fire in the 100 block of Aquia Creek Road, near Aquia Creek. Callers reported a neighboring residence on fire, and first arriving units marked the scene less than 10 minutes later and confirmed fire and smoke coming from the rear and roof of a single-family residence.
Due to a lack of hydrants in the area, crews had to utilize rural water operations to shuttle water to the scene. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire and bring it under control in approximately an hour, despite the roof collapsing.
The residence was not occupied at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. The fire is under routine investigation by the Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office. SCFR units were assisted on scene by Quantico Fire and Emergency Services.
(AP) — Preliminary data from the deadliest U.S. aviation accident in nearly 25 years showed conflicting readings about the altitudes of an airliner and Army helicopter when they collided near Reagan National Airport in Washington, killing everyone aboard both aircraft, investigators said Saturday.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
