One of my favorite stories this year is A Christmas Carol, By Charles Dickens — and my favorite part is the end:
But he was early at the office next morning. Oh, he was early there. If he could only be there first, and catch Bob Cratchit coming late! That was the thing he had set his heart upon.
And he did it. The clock struck nine. No Bob. A quarter past. No Bob. Bob was full eighteen minutes and a half, behind his time.
Bob’s hat was off, before he opened the door; his comforter, too. He was on his stool in a jiffy, driving away with his pen, as if he were trying to overtake nine o’clock.
“Mr. Cratchit!!” growled Scrooge, in his accustomed voice, as near as he could feign it.
“What do you mean by coming here at this time of day?”
“I am very sorry, sir,” said Bob. “I am behind my time.”
“You are?” repeated Scrooge. “Yes. I think you are. Step this way, sir, if you please.”
“It’s only once a year, sir,” pleaded Bob. “It shall not be repeated. I was making rather merry yesterday, sir.”
“Now, I’ll tell you what, my friend,” said Scrooge, “I am not going to stand this sort of thing any longer. And therefore,” Scrooge continued, “I am about to raise your salary!”
Bob trembled, and had a momentary idea of calling to the people in the court for help.
“A merry Christmas, Bob!” said Scrooge, with an earnestness that could not be mistaken, as he clapped him on the back. “A merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, than I have given you, for many a year! I’ll raise your salary, and endeavor to assist your struggling family, and we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon, over a Christmas bowl of smoking bishop! Make up the fires, and buy another coal-scuttle before you dot another i, Bob Cratchit!”
Scrooge recognized how awful he treated a valuable part of his business and changed appropriately.
How do you treat your staff? How do you make them feel special? Wanted?
A small comment from you could change their world. A quick email of thanks, a mention during a staff meeting or a word in front of management will make them so excited to be working with you.
I made it a point of calling my employees at home after hours (usually around 8 PM). Their spouse would answer and run to get them. They would pick up and ask, “Rich, is there anything wrong?”
I would say, “ Nothing is wrong. I was going through my files and realized what an impact you’ve been making in our department. You’ve been knocking it out of the park lately and I wanted you to know not only do I appreciate it, but you are also a powerful part of our team. Keep up the great work - we’re going to have a lot of fun next year.”
How do you think they felt when they got off the phone? Like a million bucks. Special communications just like that one MOVE people. As a leader, your job is to motivate, educate, and communicate. This does all three.
P.S. — if you want to see this scene, here it is. (I love YouTube!)