Every workday, I am supposed to write a blog as I’ve declared for myself to do. I am on my second week now on my LinkedIn blogging journey. Since last week, I’ve already been meaning to write this blog. However, I’ve always been finding more reasons not to. The good thing is that I opened up my Facebook account and saw this post about gratitude from my mother-in-law. I haven’t thanked my mum-in-law. Yet, I’ve got plans for doing it later.

This quote made me remember the movie I watched entitled “I Don’t Know How She Does It” just recently. Kate (Sarah Jessica Parker) was the ultimate multi-tasking working mum who had been trying to balance her work and family life even with the increased demands of her job. After she made a very convincing pitch, the panel of key decision makers on an investment deal quipped, “She does say thank you.” For me, saying “thank you” is just the proper thing to do. I believe credit should be given where such is due. I’ve searched the internet and found heaps of articles on it and why gratitude is good. However, what perplexed me was the panel’s reaction to Kate’s show of gratitude. What is so wrong about the two words? Are “thank yous” only meant for kids to say and not for grown-ups to do? What makes it hard for people to express those words of gratitude? I searched the internet again and couldn’t find anything except for two articles. One talks about when not to say “thank you” but it does not entirely contradict the need to do so. The second article surprised me a bit as it stated that people in the Philippines (and India) don’t say “thank you” that much, as everyone is expected to do something for each other.  Well, the article still didn’t contradict gratitude either but just emphasised that thank you just needs to be not too formal so I’d do away with further discussion on that either.

I choose not to scorn the writers of those two posts I found. I believe their articles are still well-meant. I am also open to new, plausible ideas. I would be dwelling more not on why others don’t want to say “thank you.” I may also be tempted to write on why saying “thank you” is one of the good manners we should have and not only teach, or one which has scientific benefits, or something which is good for the business or perhaps an effective yet cost-free way of boosting employee morale and welfare especially when you are resource-constrained. However, I won’t be doing that now at all yet.

Gratitude is good for what it’s been said and what I believe it to be worth. I am just like Kate who has the profound propensity of expressing thanks. What is just left for me is to do it for a bunch of very important people in my work life. Allow me then to take this opportunity to write that “Thank You” email I should have but have not sent before.

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“Dear everyone,

I should have sent this email earlier on but I believe that it is always better delayed than never. I also have been hoping I could send this to you at the right time. I believe that now is already that time. 

When I first had news that I’d be having the chance to join our institution as part of the casual pool, that opportunity also gave me the light I needed to know that the tunnel may seem dark and endless but that there is something positive beyond. 

For quite a while, I waited for a call on my first actual role with you. I had been raring to start working. Yet, the actual posting did not come yet for some time. I couldn’t afford to wait a bit more. I was a temporary resident that time. Having that status gave me fewer chances to apply for other roles, as most roles will require permanent residency or citizenship. Among the many things required for me to have permanent residency was to have “one year of full-time work. Time had also been flying fast, and resources had been running out. I had to find a job. I had been hoping to have that break with the company but the actual role with you still didn’t come. It wasn’t all bleak, though, as I finally landed a job at another company and another. I had been blessed to have worked for what turned to be as respectable companies, learned a lot of best practices and industry standards, as well as met good people along the way while contributing with my skills, knowledge and prior experience.

There had been points in time when I received calls from you on short-term stints. I had to turn down those offers mainly because I need full-time ones to meet my permanent residency requirements. However, I made the promise that I shall be working with you once I already met the minimum requirements. I kept this promise.

In 2012, when I already accumulated enough full-time employment hours, our institution had been the first one on my mind. When I made the call, got interviewed, and had been offered a role, even a very short stint one, I did not let hesitations derail my decision. I left my casual role at a top 5 ASX-listed company and finally took on that actual role with you.

When I was already a few weeks on the role, I had other at least two (2) HR related prospects in addition to other possible roles. However, I stuck with my commitment to our company. I kept my word as I vowed to stay with you until I am needed. From then on, I strove to fulfil my responsibilities the best way I could and even going above and beyond for the team and the whole company’s objectives. I know that my previous overseas work roles have always given me the disadvantage of being seen as overqualified for my role, but I believed I have worked with much humility, hard work, dedication and professionalism within allowed limitations and restrictions; I was careful not to undermine or offend anyone along the way. I may not have been perfect in everyone’s terms but I did what I could and allowed to. Being able to pitch in the effort towards somehow helping those who needs learning and skills improvement to get a job had been a great reward in itself as well.

At this point, I would like you to know that it has been a great privilege and pleasure to have been able to work with all of you. I am tempted to enumerate each of your names but won’t for now. I know you’d already know who you are that I am referring to. I found a lot of good and inspirational people and other individuals amongst you who I have directly or indirectly learned from along the way. It had been a worthwhile learning journey as we worked with each other on our way to the next level, in the figurative and literal senses of the concept. 

Finally, I would like to emphasise that I am grateful for the more than three and a half years I had in working and serving with you. The institution would always be a great part of my Aussie career. I am never good at saying goodbyes but please know that you would all be fondly thought of. I know that I have already been expressing my gratitude to you individually on each and everytime such has become appropriate in the past. However, I would like to say “THANK YOU” once more from the bottom of my heart.

I wish you well, now and beyond. 

Sincerest regards,

Esperanza

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Now that I have already gotten above thoughts off my chest, I shall be off to thank my mum-in-law shortly for giving me the concrete prompt to do this very important thing. For now, once more, I’d like to know everyone’s thoughts. Is gratitude and saying “thank you” part of your workplace culture? Do you believe it is relevant or beneficial at all in the workplace? Is it really good for employees as well as the business? 

(Note: This article also appears in the author’s LinkedIn profile.)

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