I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.
Thanksgiving is a state of mind, an act of appreciation, a national holiday. In 1621, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag gathered to mark survival and a harvest. In 1777, the thirteen states set aside a day of thanks for the victory at Saratoga. In 1789, George Washington proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving. Abraham Lincoln fixed the fourth Thursday in November in 1863, and Congress made it a legal holiday in 1941. Families and communities have built their own traditions since, but the day remains a day to gather and give thanks.
The giving of thanks, though, happens all year. It is a daily opportunity to express appreciation to everyone who has been part of the good you have known.
A difficult year makes gratitude harder to hold on to, and more valuable. Within a law firm, gratitude, or the lack of it, shapes the culture and shows up in the reputation. Make it part of day-to-day operations.
Thank Your Partners and Associates
These are the people who provide the expertise and the billable hours, and that is only the beginning. The relationships they build are what retain existing clients and attract new ones. Recognize their achievements and say so.
Thank Your Staff
Paralegals, e-discovery specialists, administrative personnel, legal assistants and consultants each play a valuable role. There are many ways to express gratitude.
- Individually: Recognize contributions publicly and privately. Send a handwritten note. Include a gift card or a bonus. Take the time to know their background, their family and their goals. If they hit a crisis, go the extra mile.
- As a Team: Provide a meal during a hectic season. Throw an office party to celebrate a big win. Encourage creativity and maintain an open door for giving and receiving feedback.
- Bottom line: When people know their work is valued and makes a difference, they are more likely to be engaged, productive and content.
Thank Your Clients
Let them know you understand there are other firms, and that you appreciate their trust. Say it in person, in writing and in kind. A handwritten note still carries weight in a digital world.
- If your client has a business, refer them to other clients or connections, and follow their business online.
- Recognize their successes and milestones.
- Take them out for lunch. Send tickets to an event you know they will enjoy.
Thank Your Local Community
Giving back is a way of expressing thanks for the good you have had. It builds pride inside the firm, and reputation outside it.
- Sponsor local events, charitable drives, and sports teams. Support the foodbank.
- Offer pro bono services to individuals and families who cannot afford counsel.
- Host a community legal education session.
- Sponsor a scholarship for aspiring law students.