I help leaders build systems and habits to get things done. I write about individual productivity, operational effectiveness, and spiritual formation.
The best thing you can do today to is encourage someone.
Why?
It builds connection.
It creates the psychological safety that fosters creativity and productivity.
It's fun!
One of the leadership principles I've heard a lot is that you cannot communicate too much. This is typically stated in relation to the organization's mission, or for the desired outcome of a project. In other words, keep communicating about what is most important to the organization and the direction the organization is headed so everyone is clear on what we're doing.
The same is true, or even more so, for communicating with our organization's most valuable resource: the people who work here. We cannot communicate too much about how valuable they are to our organization.
Here's a general principle about encouragement:
"Everyone needs to be encouraged every day."
Encouragement is the fuel for productivity. People will create and produce and execute when they feel like they are valued and their work is worthwhile. Encouragement shows them that this is so.
Encouragement is important whether your work environment is incredibly relational or whether it's tough and intense. It can look like clear, heartfelt words, and it can look like shouting and high-fives. It can be formal ("I really appreciated when you...") or slang ("You rocked that!"). Whatever lifts the spirits of the people in your organization, do that!
Five Ways to Encourage Someone Today
Tell someone "I'm grateful for you because..."
Show big positive emotion when you see them doing a great job in public. Smile big, raise your voice, use big gestures!
Write someone a note and put it on their desk. Surprises are fun!
Brag about them to someone else while they can hear you.
Point out something they're doing well.
Have fun encouraging someone today!