Karen Casey is the Head of Persons & Society at where she is building HR to guidance a individuals and overall performance-based culture.

As I stepped into my car one pre-pandemic day, I was greeted by a hand-scribbled note fastened to my dashboard. It simply just mentioned, “Have a excellent working day, mama. I appreciate you!” 

This simple gesture produced me comprehend the artwork of crafting a sentiment or take note with an true pen and piece of paper (or in this case, a serviette) is virtually misplaced. That hand-scribbled be aware is now tucked in my visor to remind me that not only did my daughter want me to have a superior day, but extra importantly that she took the time to compose a notice knowing it would make my working day — thoughtfulness at its finest! 

All through the decades, I have saved identical handwritten notes from young children, co-workers, bosses, former students and friends. Every 1 is tucked absent in “smile folders,” help you save for a decide on couple of I’ve picked out to display screen on my bulletin board to preserve me motivated when inspiration appears to be dropped, in particular through months of lockdown. 

I digress, nevertheless — let us go again to the auto. Believe for a second of a time when you approached your vehicle and, in the distance, you noticed one thing dangling on the windshield and straight away felt dread. Normally, it’s a shiny orange parking ticket or some nasty observe stating you parked way too shut to yet another motor vehicle (I do dwell in Boston), but envision in its place you are greeted with a great note tucked less than the windshield wiper from a mate. Instant relief and a twinge of dopamine surges unexpectedly through your overall body. Following, feel back again to the trip to the mailbox when you located a card blended in between the myriad of credit score card solicitations and catalogs that killed a tree or two the pleasure of receiving a holiday break card with a handwritten information or the yellow sticky observe placed on your pc screen with a phrase of many thanks. Instantaneous gratification. And I am fairly persuaded that one of these smaller gestures manufactured you pause for just a next, either in a subliminal or overt way. It most very likely introduced a smile to your face and designed you sense otherwise about the particular person who penned the be aware.

Regrettably, the handwritten notice is one thing of a misplaced art, but we can collectively change that trajectory. 

After locating the serviette observe on my windshield, I designed my way as a result of the next 60-in addition minutes of morning website traffic, and I thought about the electricity of handwritten notes and the impact they have on our everyday function. From a leadership standpoint, they reveal humanity and appreciation in the most straightforward and easiest of ways that can transcend generations and differences. They can boost productivity in a next and convey out even far better actions than was at first demonstrated, warranting the take note in the to start with location. Most drastically, a handwritten note of appreciation can transform the course of someone’s working day, week or even existence. These straightforward, but strong acts individual leaders from professionals and to the receiver, the notes turn out to be treasured archives tucked absent with long lasting impact lengthy immediately after receipt.   

Handwritten notes are also an ongoing subject matter of discussion in the talent acquisition earth. As a result of the years, I have normally been asked, “Do I nonetheless need to generate a thank-you be aware to my interviewer?” and “Can I just electronic mail it?” My respond to is constantly an emphatic sure — to equally! You even now have to have to publish an individual thank-you electronic mail, and you should really comply with up in writing. Why? Because no 1 else does it.

There are several great issues about the former — sending an electronic mail is speedy and quick — but most candidates do not choose the next action with a handwritten note of thanks. It is time-consuming and involves hard work, but handwritten notes have an effect and can evoke an emotional reaction at a psychological degree that technologies are not able to change. In shorter, a very simple and thoughtful handwritten note of many thanks tends to make a candidate unforgettable and retains a applicant best-of-mind. The procedure of discovering a new posture can be more of an artwork than a recommended science. Often hiring conclusions come down to the “little things,” and a handwritten take note can be a variable in the choosing equation. Will a handwritten thank-you observe land you a occupation? In all probability not. Will it set you apart from others? I assurance it will.   

I am a sucker for pleasant stationery, a excellent creating pen and sort words that make a meaningful influence. I was introduced up with the lesson “if a person has sufficient to give, you have plenty of to thank,” no make any difference what the reward — time, an open brain or a good bottle of wine.  

A handwritten note with words of kindness will be remembered extensive right after the observe is tossed into the trash, or for us sentimental styles, put in a “smile folder” to reference at a long run date. Leaders, no make a difference the working experience stage, I problem you to get out your stationery and pen, compose a be aware of thanks and support anyone at perform imagine differently about their hypothetical windshield.   

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