WEBVTT - The New Corner Office: Be specific and generous 

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<v Speaker 1>Good morning. This is Laura. Welcome to the New Corner Office,

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<v Speaker 1>the podcast where we share strategies for thriving in the

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<v Speaker 1>new world of work where location and ours are more

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<v Speaker 1>flexible than in the past. Today's tip is to be

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<v Speaker 1>generous and specific with your appreciation. Let people know when

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<v Speaker 1>they've done something that made a difference for you with

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<v Speaker 1>as many details as makes sense. This will make people

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<v Speaker 1>feel good and probably make them want to help you

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<v Speaker 1>more in the future. So we've all received casual and

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<v Speaker 1>non specific praise, great job, way to go, Thanks for this,

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<v Speaker 1>this is great. These bits of praise do feel good,

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<v Speaker 1>but they don't really show much thought. These could be

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<v Speaker 1>said to anybody about anything, and they probably are said

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<v Speaker 1>to many people about many things. So when someone does

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<v Speaker 1>something you appreciate, try to thank and praise them in

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<v Speaker 1>a way that feels more tailored. Identify what it is

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<v Speaker 1>they did, and identify the impact. Bonus points if you

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<v Speaker 1>can tie the specific act to a capacity or skill

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<v Speaker 1>you admire in that person. So, for instance, lindsay, thank

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<v Speaker 1>you so much for connecting Tom and me. It looks

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<v Speaker 1>like we'll be able to work together on the project.

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<v Speaker 1>I appreciate the way you make such thoughtful introductions. You've

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<v Speaker 1>named the act you appreciate that is connecting you with Tom.

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<v Speaker 1>You've identified the impact of promising partnership, and you've connected

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<v Speaker 1>this specific act with a characteristic strength of Lindsay's, namely

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<v Speaker 1>her making mutually beneficial introductions. Lindsay will surely feel glowing

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<v Speaker 1>after that. Here's another example, Lucas, I really appreciate your

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<v Speaker 1>feedback on the proposed changes to this policy. Thanks to you,

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<v Speaker 1>I was able to clarify the changes so people understand

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<v Speaker 1>the new policy and its purpose. Now, the point is

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<v Speaker 1>not to be labor your thanks or to be inauthentic

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<v Speaker 1>or awkward in any way. But when you thank a

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<v Speaker 1>person in a way that is specific and impact oriented

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<v Speaker 1>and that connects to their core strengths, if you can,

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<v Speaker 1>the person will feel seen and valued and effective, and

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<v Speaker 1>they'll look forward to getting to help you again in

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<v Speaker 1>the future. That's for being specific. As for being generous, well,

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<v Speaker 1>feel free to thank people in more ways than one

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<v Speaker 1>call and then send a follow up note, send a

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<v Speaker 1>quick text and then a longer email later. Another part

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<v Speaker 1>of generosity is expressing your thanks publicly. Now this doesn't

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<v Speaker 1>have to be in a grand speech, though it can

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<v Speaker 1>Tagging a note up on a public bulletin board can work,

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<v Speaker 1>or a quick email to a list of people who

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<v Speaker 1>would have been aware of what happened. Well. People sometimes

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<v Speaker 1>think that praise will be taken more seriously if they're

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<v Speaker 1>stingy with it. I have not seen any real evidence

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<v Speaker 1>that this is true. As long as you are being

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<v Speaker 1>authentic and praising specifics, then you can praise lots of specifics.

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<v Speaker 1>It's the meaningless good jobs tossed around everywhere that don't

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<v Speaker 1>actually help. So today, I think if there's someone you

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<v Speaker 1>could thank specifically and generously, make sure you describe the

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<v Speaker 1>impact the person's thoughtfulness had on you, note how it

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<v Speaker 1>reflects on the person's character. Now, of course this is

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<v Speaker 1>a nice thing to do, but it's actually really fun

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<v Speaker 1>as well. Watching someone beam is one of the best

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<v Speaker 1>parts of a work day, or at least imagining them

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<v Speaker 1>beaming on a phone call. Life is tough. Being thankful

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<v Speaker 1>doesn't need to be in the meantime. This is Laura,

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<v Speaker 1>Thanks for listening, and here's to succeeding in the New

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<v Speaker 1>Corner Office. The New Corner Office is a production of

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<v Speaker 1>I Heart Radio. For more podcasts, visit the I Heart

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<v Speaker 1>Radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your favorite shows.