I have been at Nemours since June. I left my old comfortable forever job of eight years to come to Nemours. It wasn't a tough decision to move on, as I felt the timing was just right and the pluses were numerous.
After about two months of being in my job, I received a written note at home from my partner at work, who is a physician. It was just a "I'm so glad you're working for us; you're doing a great job; I'm excited about all you have to offer" type note. But in it she thanked me for all the things I've brought to the table. When I opened that envelope, I got all emotional at just the simple gesture of writing a thank you note acknowledging my energy and work. Never in my eight years at my old job did I ever receive something like that from a superior, let alone receive something at home via the US mail.
On Friday I arrived home to another Nemours envelope in my mailbox. This time it's a thank you from the Social Work manager in my department. She thanked me for two things in particular. Again, I got emotional reading her handwritten note of gratitude.
I don't know how often people receive such thank you's. I know it's part of the management system to acknowledge people for doing "whatever it takes," and honestly I think it's a fantastic tool.
When I was in the Leadership Institute in the summer of 2007, we did a Leadership Inventory which was part self-assessment of our leadership styles and qualities and part assessment by our managers, direct reports and peers. One of the areas I thought I was particularly strong on was Acknowledging Others. It was one of few areas where I ranked myself higher than the other people did. That was a wake up call for me. Perhaps in my mind I acknowledged others' efforts, but didn't do it out loud or enough? Either way, I made a commitment to work on acknowledging others for their contributions from that point on.
The Nemours thank you notes is just an example of a really great way to acknowledge others and I wanted to acknowledge that.
Nemours is continually ranked high in the "Best Places in Health Care to Work" category nationally. With strategies such as the thank you notes, I can see why. Again, never before in eight years and then two within a seven month time period!? Amazing.
5 comments:
Amazing indeed. Very cool
That is awesome Cory. Well deserved, but awesome. People don't do that anymore, and it's sad. It works wonders and makes productivity so much better...I know this because I practice it on Will! ;) Very cool place to work!
This is incredible, Cory! I am so thrilled for you. I agree that a written note expressing thanks goes a very long way.
xoxo
H
As Cory's mom, I, too have received a hand-written "thank-you" from Nemours this week after my "help" at the Easter Egg Hunt last weekend. I have received little hand-written notes like this over the years, and have saved every single one. When I trip over one in my bedside table, it revisits a moment when I felt valued, and brings a smile to my face and warmth to my heart. Hand-written notes are becoming extinct, but each old one in my possession is as valuable as any antique I might own.
Much deserved... Awesome stuff Cory Nourie!
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