In Monday’s post “The 5 Rules of Giving Gifts to Employees,” we talked some about the do’s and don’ts of choosing and giving gifts to employees. Today we are going to expand on that.
While gifts of all kinds are given everyday, we are approaching a time of year when we spend more time thinking about the giving of gifts than at any other time of the year. I thought of that when I read this quotation, and decided to share it with you.
“The manner in which it is given is worth more than the gift.”
– Pierre Corneille, Playwright
Today, I want to talk about the actual process of giving gifts, rather than the gift itself. First, let’s do some soul searching. Ask yourself:
- What gifts have I received recently?
- How were they presented to me?
- How did the manner in which they were given to me affect the impact or meaning of the gift? (For example, did you feel less excited about the gift because someone said “It’s not much” or because the person was grumpy when he or she presented it to you?)
Then, as you present gifts to employees, coworkers, customers, your boss and your loved ones, be hyperaware of your actions, body language and overall attitude. If you are in a bad mood, wait until you are in better spirits before giving the gift to someone. Your goal is to make the gift-giving process 100% about the other person and the person feel valued. Don’t let your busy schedule or bad morning get in the way of that.
My final thoughts …
As you read this, you may have been thinking about pretty packages, ribbons and bows. However, the reason I chose to share this idea with you today goes beyond material items. As a leader, you have the opportunity to give these gifts everyday:
- The gift of feedback.
- The gift of support.
- The gift of opportunity.
- The gift of encouragement.
How often are you giving those gifts to your employees? And are you giving them in a way that provides the greatest value to the receiver?
Photo Credit: www.freeimages.com/photo/my-gift-1427426
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