Cafe Classic: Thanksgiving * Share the Gratitude

Editor's Note: Great lessons for this U.S. holiday dedicated to gratitude - from our the Irish member of our team. Thank YOU, Derek!

I have the honor and privilege of posting today, this last day before the American Thanksgiving Day holiday. I point this out as an American holiday as I am Irish. But I must admit, I've adopted many of the practices of this day as I appreciate greatly, indeed, the principles behind it.

The members of my team and a good many of my colleagues are American. I've asked them what they think of Thanksgiving. Answers ranged from comments on the good food, to opportunities to see family (and the sometimes outrageously funny stories around that), to football and naps.

But the one comment that has stuck with me is this: "Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. It hasn't been commercialized like Christmas or Easter. There is no real societal pressure like on Valentine's Day. It's simply a day to gather with those you love and be grateful for what you have, both material and non-material."

In that spirit of simple giving of thanks, I'd like to share with you what I am grateful for this Thanksgiving and invite you to do the same in comments:

I am grateful for my family and friends! I have a wonderful group of people who not only love me, but hold me accountable to proper work/life balance. That said...

I am grateful for my work! The last few years have been very difficult, indeed, for many people around the world. I am not just grateful to have a job, but that the work I do helps organizations around the world change their cultures into positive ones of recognition and appreciation, thereby creating much happier and engaging environments for their own employees to work within.

I am grateful for my colleagues! The most important factor that makes my work so enjoyable is the people I get the privilege of working with every day. To a person, they are smart, talented and generally fun to be around.

I am grateful for the Compensation Cafe! This site has given me the opportunity to share my thoughts on employee recognition and rewards, sure, but more importantly it's given me the opportunity to learn from the best compensation professionals in the world!

I am grateful for you! Readers of Compensation Cafe have taught me just as much with their thoughtful comments over the years, both to my own posts as well as the posts of my Cafe colleagues. Thank you for caring so deeply about your profession that you spend your valuable adding your insights and expertise.

Share your gratitude! As you wrap up your work today, consider pausing on your way out the door to tell your colleagues, co-workers and team members why you are grateful for them.

What are you thankful for?

As Globoforce’s Vice President of Client Strategy and Consulting, Derek Irvine is an internationally minded management professional with over 20 years of experience helping global companies set a higher ambition for global strategic employee recognition, leading workshops, strategy meetings and industry sessions around the world. He is a leader in the WorkHumanmovement and the co-author of "The Power of Thanks" and his articles on fostering and managing a culture of appreciation through strategic recognition have been published in Businessweek, Workspan and HR Management. Derek splits his time between Dublin and Boston. Follow Derek on Twitter at @DerekIrvine.

Comments

[E. James Brennan]

Mind you, I also fit that "Irish member of our team" appellation! Granted, my family is a few generations removed from ye olde sod, but I still must demand my appropriately due recognition as a similar Son of Erie. Admittedly much LESS recognition, since I don't reside in the Emerald Isle, but an Emmet James Brennan III is arguably as Irish as a Derek Irvine. Maybe. ;-)

[Ann Bares]

Hey Jim - you're right and I forgot! I still have the "Brennan's Pub" image we used for a post of yours at some point!

Hope you had a Happy T-Day!

[E. James (Jim) Brennan]

Don't forget fellow-Irish Margaret, either, Ann! Gotta take care, because we're EVERYwhere.