I learned a long time ago that you can never underestimate the power of saying thank you.

Whether it’s the acknowledgement of a family member doing something special (or even something mundane), or recognizing an employee’s performance, the impact of a well-placed “thank you” goes a long way.

I had heard that former Nabisco CEO Douglas Conant made a practice of sitting down every day to write up to ten personal notes of gratitude to employees and others. I admit, I’m not that disciplined. But I appreciate the sentiment and the sense of conviction behind that seemingly simple gesture. I hope you’ll find it genuine when I convey my thanks to you for taking the time to read this blog post – hoping it aids in your understanding of who I am and what we are working to build here at Clearfield.

In The Manager’s Book of Decencies: How Small Gestures Build Great Companies , author Steve Harrison cites a number of little decencies we can do in the workplace. At the top of the list is “Remember to say thank you, or better yet, write thank you notes.” Other small decencies in business included: “Greet coworkers authentically and personally…Give away recognition when things go well; hoard responsibility when they don’t…Convey bad news in person…When you make a mistake, admit it and apologize.”

Ultimately, I believe that kindness pays dividends in both our personal and professional lives. This year, as we gather around our Thanksgiving tables, I’m going to remember to say thank you to those with whom I have the great fortune to dine with – and to call those later that day and weekend with whom I may not see. I hope you’ll find the opportunity to do the same.

Happy Thanksgiving!