Thank You Is Indeed the Magic Word

📢 🚀 🎉 Hi Readers! I know how easy it is to get distracted and never make it to the end of a blog post. If that sounds familiar, hang in there—at the close of this week’s post I’ll be sharing an announcement about Success Lab, a new program I’m co-leading for early-career professionals. 📢 🚀 🎉

It is Labor Day in the United States, and this holiday has always meant more to me than simply marking the end of summer. At its heart, Labor Day is about honoring the contributions of workers—the time, talent, and effort that shape our communities, organizations, and everyday lives. For me, it’s also a reminder that appreciation is one of the most powerful tools we have in the workplace.

Appreciation is not fluff. It’s how we honor people’s labor and acknowledge the real impact they have—both seen and unseen. As an HR professional, I’ve also been a strong advocate for formal recognition days—like Professional Assistants Day or Teachers Appreciation Week. Some dismiss them as “Hallmark holidays,” but I’ve seen the opposite: they shine a spotlight on roles that might otherwise be overlooked. They allow people in less high-profile positions to see their own importance reflected back to them, and they remind the rest of us how essential these colleagues are to our success.

Labor Day is the perfect moment to recommit to that practice of appreciation—both formal and informal—as a way to strengthen people, teams, and organizations. A simple thank you, repeated often, has the power to build trust, connection, and resilience.

Here are eight reasons why appreciation can make all the difference:

1. It Rewards the Appreciated—and the Appreciator

Appreciation triggers a release of dopamine and serotonin in the brain—neurotransmitters tied to motivation, pleasure, and emotional well-being. What’s remarkable is that this happens not only for the person being appreciated but also for the person giving appreciation. Both experience a neurological “reward,” reinforcing connection and strengthening positive behaviors.

2. It Builds Connection

At its core, appreciation is relational. Every thank you, every moment of recognition, strengthens the bonds between people. It weaves a stronger web of trust, belonging, and reciprocity across a team. Over time, those moments of connection become the foundation for collaboration, resilience, and community at work

3. It Clarifies What’s Working

When you appreciate someone’s actions with specificity—highlighting what they did and why it mattered—you reinforce valuable behaviors and provide clear guidance on what success looks like. Appreciation for positive change is especially critical—it acknowledges not just the improved outcome, but also the effort it took to make the adjustment. It shows that the person’s growth has been noticed and that they are now delivering what’s needed.

4. It Invites Everyone to Re-Experience the Positive

Appreciation allows both giver and receiver to savor positive moments, prolonging the emotional boost. This strengthens social bonds and builds confidence moving forward. It’s also a chance to reinforce shared success—reminding everyone that the effort mattered and continues to matter.

5. It Injects Good Energy

Especially during tough or stressful times, a quick note of appreciation can inject optimism, shift energy, and put stress in perspective. Even a few sincere words can reset the tone of a meeting, re-energize a team under pressure, and help people remember the bigger purpose behind the work.

6. It Raises Visibility

Appreciation is especially powerful for people whose jobs are less visible. Formal appreciation days—and informal recognition in meetings or emails—shine a light on contributions that are critical but often overlooked. Visibility helps people feel that their work matters and reminds the team of the interconnectedness of everyone’s roles.

7. It Builds Workplace Civility

Appreciation cultivates a culture where courtesy and recognition aren’t exceptions but habits. And here’s a practical tip: when you hear someone praising a colleague in casual conversation, encourage them to share that appreciation directly. Passing it along can transform a fleeting comment into a meaningful connection.

8. It Increases Joy

Appreciation doesn’t just improve performance—it makes work more enjoyable. A genuine thank you, a quick note, or even a spontaneous coffee can spark happiness and connection. And joy isn’t one-sided—it lifts both the person being appreciated and the person offering the appreciation. Joy isn’t frivolous; it’s fuel. When people experience joy at work, they’re more engaged, more creative, and more committed to the team’s success.

What Does Good Appreciation Look Like?

So how do we make sure our appreciation really lands? It helps to follow a few simple guidelines:

• Be specific: “I really appreciated how you handled the client’s questions during the meeting—it calmed nerves and kept us on track.”

• Be timely: Share appreciation when people are most receptive—soon after the contribution, not weeks later.

• Anchor appreciation to real rewards: Appreciation is most powerful when it’s linked to traditional HR reward systems: promotions, bonuses, raises, or more interesting and higher-profile work. When budgets are tight, remember that rewards are still possible—flexibility, professional development opportunities, stretch assignments, or even a preferred task can carry real value. If immediate rewards aren’t available, be clear that recognition will connect to future opportunities. What matters is that people see a line between their contributions and the opportunities that follow.

• It doesn’t always have to be grand:The most powerful appreciation often comes in small, everyday forms—a sincere thank you in the hallway, a quick email, or even making someone a cup of tea. These small acts, repeated often, create just as much impact as the big, formal moments. What matters is frequency and sincerity, not ceremony.

• Don’t skip the boss: Everyone deserves appreciation at every level of the organization. Just as those in the shadows often don’t get the recognition they deserve, executives are sometimes overlooked too. Leadership can be lonely, and a thoughtful thank you for their support or initiative can mean a great deal.

• Share the love: When you hear someone praising a colleague in casual conversation, encourage them to say it directly. And if they don’t, make sure to pass those secondhand compliments along so the appreciation still reaches its mark.

Closing Thoughts

Labor Day calls us to honor the dignity of work and the people who make it possible. In our offices, appreciation is one of the most effective ways to live out that principle. It rewards, clarifies, relives, injects, raises, builds—and increases joy.

And here’s the best part: joy is contagious. Appreciation lifts not only the person being recognized but also the person giving it. When we make appreciation a habit, we create workplaces that are not only more productive and respectful—but also more human, more connected, and more joyful.

Finally, I want to pause and appreciate you—my readers—for your ongoing support, engagement, and encouragement. Your reflections, feedback, and presence remind me every week why this work matters. Thank you.

📢 🚀 🎉 A Note of Excitement: Launching Success Lab 📢 🚀 🎉

This fall, I’m thrilled to be partnering with career advisor Allison Cheston to launch Success Lab, a dynamic small-group coaching program for early-career professionals.

Success Lab is designed for those who want to clarify their next steps, grow their leadership and professional skills, and build a network rooted in authentic connection. Co-led by Allison and me in New York City, this interactive 8-week program combines coaching, tools, and peer community to help you move forward in your professional life with confidence and purpose.

We are building our first 10-person cohort now, and we would love to have you—or someone you know—join us. If you’re interested in learning more or applying, please reach out for details.