The Power of Handwritten Notes

“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” - Albert Einstein

One hard thing that many in leadership are trying to determine is how to make employees feel appreciated and improve morale. I’ve got a big secret to fill you in on that greatly impacts employees and those you lead! This is not a big plan or an expensive project to implement. This is a simple thing anyone can do.

What is it?

You may laugh or think I’m joking, but… Handwritten cards/notes. Yes, this simple gesture of appreciation is huge for employees! You may question why, but simply saying something like “thank you” or “I appreciate your hard work” means well, but to many, this can be seen as an empty gesture. Not always, but sometimes it can feel more like someone is saying “Thanks” out of obligation than sincerity.

A handwritten note shows you were thinking about the person, took time to write down what you wanted to say, then handed it to them, left it on their desk, mailed it to their home, etc. It is a show of time, effort, and intentionality. While it may only take you a few minutes to do all of this, the impact it holds is huge!

Technology has made our lives easier by sending emails and texting things to people quickly. However, according to numerous studies, books, podcasts, etc., handwritten notes or cards hold significantly more weight to the person receiving them. This is why I regularly write notes/cards to my wife. Maybe you haven’t done something like this before or in a long time.

Try it!

Write a nice card/note to your spouse, tell your kid why you’re proud of them in a handwritten note or give a pastor, teacher, or someone else a note of appreciation for what they do for you. I guarantee you will feel awkward at first but feel the joy of giving it, knowing it greatly impacted your life. If you’re a leader, consider doing something like this for your staff, the followers you have, or even the people you are mentoring. A simple action goes a long way!

Nick Dyson is the owner of Dyson Leadership and is a

Maxwell Leadership Certified Speaker, Trainer, and Coach. Providing Leadership coaching, training, workshops, Lunch & Learns, and more!

To learn more about training provided by Dyson Leadership, visit our webpage.