Good morning fellow leaders and influencers, I hope this note finds you well. It is an absolutely beautiful day in Vancouver, and the beach was packed last night; it was actually a summer evening!

I enjoyed a wonderful dinner and stroll with a friend last night, and our wide ranging conversation was fun, invigorating and direct. I am grateful for it. And that gratitude has reminded me about how important thanksgiving is for us as members of our communities and organizations. And then, fortuitously, I came across an article in the April issue of Harvard Business Review about “the two most important words.”  http://hbr.org/2013/04/the-two-most-important-words

There is something almost trite about talking about the importance of a thank you; and as we approach Mothers’ Day here in North America, I note that it was most likely our mother, or another influential woman in our early lives who taught about “please and thank you’s”.  Thank you is in our social DNA, and yet, how often do you hear it? How often do you use it? And perhaps most importantly, how often do you actually mean it?

The 19th Century Swiss philosopher and poet Henri Frederick Amiel  famously wrote;

“Life is short, we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel the way with us, so be quick to love, make haste to be kind.” It struck me late last night that we might add a phrase, ‘Life is short, we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel the way with us, so be quick to love, make haste to be kind’ and be thankful to those who have gladdened your heart.

You’ll find productivity increasing, a healthier workplace and a thriving team. You’ll also find that your dis-stress level decreases, your angry outbursts less frequent and your relationships stronger and more vibrant. Not too shabby from two little words. Oh, and thanks again for a lovely dinner and walk last night my friend, my heart is gladdened.