Your Executive Assistant, Office Manager or Administrative Business Partner may not always be the most visible member of your team. That doesn’t make them any less valuable. In fact, your support team member is likely to be the one saving you the most time, and putting in long hours on tasks that never cross by your desk.
That’s why they are one of the most deserving of your appreciation and gratitude. Here are just a few ways you can show them that you value their efforts – whether you are working together virtually or in-person:
Go public: while there are some team members who may shy away from broader recognition, even a few words on a group Slack channel can go a long way to making them feel that their work is valued. Just check with a trusted mutual connection to make sure the person you would like to show appreciation for would feel comfortable being recognized this way. To make your show of gratitude even more special, make sure you share a specific example or two to demonstrate that their efforts are not going unnoticed.
Huddle and share: bring together your support team member together with a handful of their closest colleagues for a 15-minute videoconference and ask them to each share what they most value from working with them. A heartfelt thank you from you and your colleagues will help your colleagues feel connected and can set the practice of regularly showing gratitude for each other.
Special delivery: know of a favorite treat, plant or – even – hobby? Order their favorite snack, plant or a card featuring a favorite pastime and surprise them with a personalized gift to their door. Especially as we may have less face-to-face interaction, receiving a small item reminding them that their team cares will help them feel appreciated going forward.
Warm words: most of us will end our emails with words to the effect of ‘many thanks’, although fewer of us will take the time to share what we are grateful for. Send an email or - better yet - a letter with a few sentences about their contributions, and their impact. Sharing specific examples of how this team member went above and beyond or showed grace and resilience during a difficult situation will show that their efforts – however small – have contributed to the broader organization.
Your support team member is unique and will have their own preferences on how they like to interact with their colleagues, and prefer to be recognized. By taking a little time beforehand to learn about them and researching fun and creative ways to show your gratitude in a way that is personalized to them, your colleague will gain a better understanding of their true worth and feel more connected to their organization. In addition, your appreciative gesture will likely encourage other colleagues to show their appreciation for those they work with. What’s not to love about a culture of giving thanks to each other year-round?
A boutique San Francisco staffing firm, The Hire Standard specializes in placing high-caliber support professionals at exciting companies across the Bay Area and beyond. Whether you are looking for an Experienced Executive Assistant or Customer Support Professional, contact us to help you fill your hiring needs today.