Behind the Scenes

It is easy to see the roles that people play in an organization when they are “front facing” and highly visible.  When we think of a business or service, it is the leadership whose names come to mind, knowing that these are the individuals who hold primary responsibility for the work and the outcomes.

That is true in our world of senior services as well.  We all know that our ability to succeed, to achieve our mission, to provide services and care is due to many others whose roles are both behind the scenes and critically important to the elder’s overall experience.

As an organization, we are blessed to have an annual program, funded by generous donors whose parents were residents that we served, that is designed to recognize employees who are not in the limelight, but who make a difference every day.  We also have a “thank you” program that we use when we get compliments or complimentary letters about a staff person or when any one of our management staff sees someone going “above and beyond the call.”

And while both of those efforts are wonderful, we know that this kind of thanks and recognition is both merited, and needs to take place, on a daily basis.  How often do we all, in every setting, say “thank you” as an automatic phrase without real meaning?  And how different would it be if we actually took an extra second to pause, make eye contact and say those words with sincerity?

Those two simple words “thank you,” have an impact on everyone and even more on those who are behind the scenes.  Whether it is the person at the front desk who greets you by name and with a smile or the wait staff person who brings you your beverage of choice without even asking, the acknowledgement matters.  It carries weight and it changes their day.  And a note of thanks often becomes a keepsake and something that is read often.

Our society operates at an ever-increasing pace.  Our interactions are often concise and business like, no time for small talk or chitchat.  But, taking that extra 10 seconds to express gratitude with sincerity, will not only bring joy to the person you are thanking, it may also lift your spirits and warm your heart as well.