The Power of Little Words

Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

Did anyone else’s parents ask the question “What’s the magic word?” 

Our parents did when they were trying to extract the word, “please” from our little kid lips.

While please doesn’t have the same pizazz as the magic words Abra Cadabra and it doesn’t result in a wish granting genie jumping out of a lamp, our parents knew that this small word was the gateway to the power of politeness. Being polite communicates kindness and respect to those around you and people often respond in kind. It took some time, but for most of us, we discovered other words that had similar impact and incorporated them into our vocabulary.

As we grow we may distance ourselves from the magical thinking of childhood that believes in genies, but in our adult hands we still hold the power of some very influential words. It may not seem obvious as to where we can wield it as we go about our lives. 

Take a minute and think of your daily work routine:

You grab a coffee from your local coffee shop.

You walk by the receptionist at the front desk.

You attend scheduled meetings.

For many of us, that kind of work routine brings a sense of comfort and stability. Yet the very sameness that soothes us can also create a slippery slope. When things run smoothly day after day, it becomes easy to overlook the people whose efforts make that comfort possible and to unintentionally take them for granted. If your parents were watching, would they feel compelled to remind you to use some magic words?

G2 Solutions is going to step into the parental role and reinforce the importance of three simple phrases that can have a powerful impact in your work life and, we would dare say, your personal life as well.

Good Morning.

How Are You?

Thank You.

They are simple. They are common.  And they are powerful.

As we share the reasons for their power, reflect on how you use them in your day to day work life.

Good Morning  

When delivered with positive energy and direct eye contact, this short greeting fosters a positive mindset which can have the ripple effect of inspiring increased productivity, creativity, and motivation. How does it do this? Starting your day by saying or hearing "good morning" triggers the release of those feel-good hormones. This results in a reduction of stress lifting your spirits. It may even provide a boost to your immune system. The next time you are picking up that cup of coffee take a second and look your barista in the eyes and warmly greet them.

How Are You? 

This question holds the potential to transform a routine greeting into a meaningful connection. The true power of this question comes after the line is delivered.  Pausing to hear the answer and allowing space for the other person to share, rather than rushing on to the rest of your day is key. It communicates to the other person that they are valued. 

For example, rather than breezing past the receptionist’s desk calling out this greeting, stop and have a little chat. Sounds like a lot to do in the midst of a busy day? Not really. It takes only a few moments to turn a perfunctory greeting into an interaction that builds trust and fosters connection. 

Think about mixing it up. Rather than asking the same question every time, try alternatives like, “What’s been the best part of your week so far?” or “Is there anything you need right now?” Questions like these open the door to real conversation. Once that rhythm develops, you can easily follow up on things that have been mentioned before. It doesn’t take long, it just takes intention.

Thank You 

Did your parents bug you to write thank you notes? Ours did. We grumbled the whole way. But think about how you feel when you receive a thank you note. Knowing that someone paused in their day to give thought to what they wanted to say, wrote it down, and then mailed the letter, all contribute to the positive emotions we experience when we open it.

In leadership, taking time to thank individuals and teams reinforces that their efforts matter. And expressing gratitude doesn't have to wait for a major accomplishment. As a matter of fact, appreciating people when they might not expect it increases the impact of the gesture. For example, you can acknowledge people’s efforts, attitude or reliability in your regularly scheduled meetings. The most meaningful thank yous are behaviorally specific. For example, “Thank you for taking the time to explain all the details to our client” is better than “Thank you for your hard work”.

And it isn’t just parental wisdom that believes that these small words of kindness have real benefits. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) conducted a Healthy Minds Poll, survey of 2,210 adults. Among those surveyed, 89% said showing someone else an act of kindness made them feel better, and 90% said receiving an act of kindness had a positive impact throughout their day.

Former APA President Petros Levounis, summarized the results saying, “Whether it is an innate response that rewards altruistic behavior or a mental reframing that puts positivity in the world, doing something for someone else makes us feel better. That’s so helpful as we deal with life’s complications.”

Research from the business world also underscores the power of these words. 

The firm Workhuman surveyed 3,500 global workers. It showed that appreciation for a job well done (aka saying thank you) has an impact on retention.

• Workers thanked and recognized for their work were half as likely to be looking for a new job 

• Thanked employees were twice as likely to be highly engaged at work 

• Employees who felt recognized were three times as likely to think their work had meaning and purpose 

• Employees who felt recognized reported being happier at work 

The researchers underscored that the gratitude had to be not only genuine but it had to stand on its own. “If employees sense that it is a ‘I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine’, they will see the act as forced or inauthentic leading to dissolution and an erosion of trust.” 

Our parents were right, small words are magical. Challenge yourself this next week to observe your use of these tiny yet powerful words and endeavor to spread some more magic to those around you.