The Game-Changing Power of Saying "Thanks": A Not-So-Secret Weapon for IT Managed Service Leaders

In the world of IT Managed Services, where the clack of keyboards is the soundtrack of our day and coffee is more of a colleague than a beverage, there’s a powerful tool often overlooked. It's not the latest tech gadget or a fancy new software—it's the art of appreciation. Yes, you read that right. Saying "thank you" could be the game changer you’ve been searching for, and Nancy Kline's insights from her book "Time to Think" illuminate just how impactful this can be.

Why "Thank You" Packs a Punch

Let's face it, in an environment where the coffee machine is seen as a potential point of failure rather than a purveyor of liquid sanity, it's easy to forget the human side of things. Kline's Chapter on Appreciation throws us a curveball, reminding us that amidst our quests to debug and deploy, appreciating our human resources (yes, actual humans) can supercharge our teams’ productivity and innovation.

The Anti-Fear Potion

Remember the last time you were afraid of sending that risky, innovative proposal to your boss? Now, imagine if your environment was so positive that fear took a backseat. Appreciation does exactly that—it’s like an anti-fear potion that encourages bold ideas without the dread of the digital guillotine. It turns out, feeling appreciated makes us bolder than a double espresso on an empty stomach.

Psychological Safety: The Geek’s Haven

Creating a haven where your team feels safe enough to share their "Barmiest" ideas (which, by the way, are often the most groundbreaking) is crucial. Appreciation fosters this psychological safety, making your team’s workspace the next best thing since sliced bread (or since the invention of the cloud, for a more relatable metaphor).

The Dark Side of the Server Room: The Impact of Not Appreciating

Dive into the shadowy corners of the server room, and you'll find the chilling consequences of a lack of appreciation. Teams become like old software running on new hardware – they might function, but nowhere near their potential. Morale drops significantly, innovation stalls and productivity decreases sharply. The work environment becomes negative, making employees feel undervalued and easily replaceable. Overlooking the importance of appreciation can greatly hinder the team's effectiveness.

Appreciation: The New Skill on the Block

Gone are the days when technical prowess alone ruled the IT world. Today, the ability to genuinely appreciate your team is as crucial as knowing your way around a server room blindfolded. It's about recognising the late nights, the solved tickets, and the quiet dedication. And no, a generic "good job" email doesn’t count. We’re talking about specific, heartfelt recognition that doesn’t sound like you’ve copied and pasted it from a Google search.

The Secret Sauce: A Ratio for Success

Kline suggests a golden ratio of appreciation to criticism. Imagine if for every “This needs to be fixed,” there were five “Wow, this is brilliant!” comments. It’s not about avoiding constructive feedback but ensuring that appreciation isn’t as rare as a quiet day in tech support.

Cultivating a Thinking Environment

Transforming your team's environment into a thinking haven means embedding appreciation into your culture. It's about moving from a “why did you do that?” to a “tell me more about your idea” mindset. This shift can lead to innovations that might just make your team the next legends in the IT Managed Service industry (or at least in your office).

A Culture Shift: From Binary to Human

Incorporating genuine appreciation into the daily grind can revolutionise how your team operates. It’s about seeing beyond the binary and recognising the human element in our tech-driven world. And who knows? Maybe it'll make the coffee taste better too.

So, the next time you’re about to dive into a code review or strategize your next big project, remember that a simple act of appreciation could be your most powerful tool. It’s time to upgrade your leadership firmware with the art of saying “thanks.” And remember, in the world of IT Managed Services, a little appreciation goes a long way—almost as far as your caffeine tolerance.

I challenge you to go and find someone to appreciate this afternoon 💝

Alison

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