Are we?

I had a dental appointment recently, and, per usual, the office called the day before to confirm I’d be there for their scheduling purposes. When I called back to confirm, the scheduler said “THANK YOU so much for calling back!” with so much gratitude in her voice it made me wonder if I was unusual in my response. As it turns out, I was. When I went in, I asked her about it and she told me that most patients never bothered to verify their appointments and she was so grateful that I had. It was a tiny exchange, but her reaction was so notable it got us thinking: are we showing enough gratitude in our daily lives and in business specifically? Apparently not…..

Relationships involve gratitude - relationships in business especially. According to Google dictionary, the definition of gratitude is: “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” Alfred North Whitehead said “No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.”

Indeed.

We’re human beings going to work. The business-savvy and generous among us recognize that there are unspoken yet patently understood rules, standards and norms in helping our colleagues succeed, a quid pro quo if you like. If we can make someone’s day easier by returning a phone call, of course we're going to! If we know a colleague is facing a challenge and are able to make an introduction to another professional who might be able to help, of course we’ll make that introduction. If we know two people who might be terrific networking referrals for one another, of course we’ll facilitate that encounter. Won’t we?