The age-old company is called Hallmark for a reason. Be that person in the office who leaves a card on someone’s desk “just because.” Remembering birthdays and special events is great, but a card telling them how much you appreciate them for the job they do means even more. It is especially welcomed when someone is overwhelmed at work, lost that big account or is going through a tough time personally. Cheer Leadership is being intentional when your compadre is struggling. That’s when they need to be remembered and uplifted the most.
Did you know that 7 billion greeting cards are purchased every year and that annual retail sales of greeting cards are estimated at more than $7.5 billion? That is quite a large industry!
So what does a greeting card have to do with employee engagement, you ask? It’s simple actually. A quick Google search will show you tons of research and reports highlighting the dismal state of employee engagement, loyalty, and satisfaction across today’s workforce. Sometimes all it takes is a simple folded 4.5 x 6 inch piece of paper with a handwritten note to start truly building a genuine (and long lasting) connection with someone on your team.
Next time you’re at the store, pick up a pack of cards to keep on hand. If you notice someone on your team who is having a bad day or is facing some kind of disappointment, write them a short note and leave it on their desk. It only takes 30 seconds to do, but will have a permanent impact on the recipient. For all you know, that one simple gesture could help turn around their mindset to hang in there and let go of the negative thoughts. As an added bonus, taking the time to unplug to write the card can help improve your mood, spark creativity, and create stronger memories!
I challenge you this week to find someone at work who could use a little encouragement and positivity and leave on note on their desk. Share your experience with us in the comments below!
FUN FACT: the company we now know as Hallmark was founded by Joyce Clyde Hall in 1910. He originally sold picture postcards, but made the switch to greeting cards sealed in envelopes after recognizing the public’s desire for more privacy in their communication.