The Magic Words

 I wish I could remember who taught the lesson, and for that, I ask forgiveness of the presenter.  I also want to again say thank you.  I truly appreciate the lesson taught.  Again, sorry that I don't remember which one presented it.

If you remember Barney the Dinosaur, because kids or grandkids watched it (or maybe you?), then you know that Please and Thank you are the magic words.  I could also point out that Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation usually used them together as in "Please and Thank you.".  I am a little disappointed in Ron, as he has gone off to Wisconsin to betray his TV character and raise money for Biden, but he is an actor, and this is not the Lib, so another time.  The whole thing is about being Courteous.  Seems I remember that word somewhere.

This was a pretty important lesson.  Expressing sincere gratitude awakens the soul of the one receiving it.  It does far more than that, however, it also changes the heart of the giver.  No, not going down some syrupy path, just stating a fact.  It feels good to truly be grateful, and to express it.  As the recipient of that gratitude, a response may not necessarily be required, but as social creatures, it provides that necessary feedback, and as we learned...

Feedback is a gift!

It is important to note when someone does something for which you are grateful.  It is equally important to acknowledge expressed gratitude.  So while I did not track it count-wise, I did make a note to pay attention, both to when I said "Thank you" and "You're welcome", and when it was reciprocated.  

Can I just say that we need some work, as a society, and sadly, even among Gilwellians it was noted.  I had sort of noticed it before, but paying even closer attention after the lesson, it was a glaring sore thumb.  No offense to my peers, and again, I certainly do not think myself special, but I made myself say Thank you, and You're welcome, as much as I could remember to do so.  It is a habit that all of us should get into if we aren't there already.  

Courtesy, of course, means so much more than a Please, Thank you, or You're Welcome.  But for this lesson, we focused on these from a leader point of view.  As leaders it is critical that those we lead receive that reinforcement.  When I first became a Supervisory Air Traffic Control Specialist, I was assigned to one of the most difficult areas in the center.  The controllers in this area are the most typical controllers that there are.  During a particular evening with thunderstorms, I watched them work miracles.  When one of the controllers was switched out, I thanked him for the excellent work he did, and he was shocked, because he had never heard a supe tell him that.  

The phrase "Thank you" is a game changer.  While throwing a line out there like that, let me add that on most occasions, "Thank you" is so much better than "thanks".  Just my opinion, but to me, "thanks" is almost a throwaway.  It certainly can be sincere, but try to imagine it as such.  For me, it is hard.

After this weekend, I am going to work my ticket when I can.  Too much research to be done.

Leaving Fuel on the Prairie.