The holiday season is a time when many people turn their attention to giving. Although this should be a joyful process, it is often one filled with stress, as we struggle to come up with ideas of what to give others.
This year, why not focus on the gift of excellent communication? It’s something that you have an abundant supply of and can have a lasting impact well beyond the holidays.
Whether at work or at home, these 10 communication gifts are free to give and will pay you back with interest.
1. The gift of a heartfelt greeting- simply saying, “Good Morning!” each day and really meaning it.
2. The gift of listening- taking the time to give people your undivided attention and empathy as they share something important to them.
3. The gift of encouragement- sharing your confidence in others and encouraging them as they are progressing toward a goal.
4. The gift of forgiveness- letting go of past wrongs and taking steps to move forward in your relationship.
5. The gift of recognition- acknowledging a job well done, even if it’s not “above and beyond,” and is simply in someone’s job description.
6. The gift of a positive attitude- not being unrealistic or naive, but looking for the positives in every situation, such as viewing a mistake as a learning opportunity rather than an opportunity lost.
7. The gift of being on time- being on time to work, to meetings, and even social gatherings, shows that you value others’ time as much or more than your own.
8. The gift of a good example- if you are a supervisor or leader, set the example of the behavior you expect from your employees, rather than using your many responsibilities and commitments as an excuse for “breaking the rules.”
9. The gift of support- when you see someone struggling, or you’re ready to leave at the end of the day and others are still working, taking the time to ask, “Can I help?” before you walk away.
10. The gift of involvement- seeking out others’ opinions and getting them involved in decision-making, especially if the decisions will affect them.
I feel that the process of doing all of these, is reflected in #8, the gift of a good example. I try very hard to listen to what my co-workers are saying by putting down my cell phone, looking them in the eye. I don’t just wait for them to finish talking so that I may relate my own experience. Listening well is a powerful “good example” , and I hope that if I lead by example, others may follow.
Bev, thank you for your comment! I hope they appreciate your consideration and follow your excellent example.
Thank you so much for this article! It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed this time of year. This feeling comes from the expectation and pressure I feel to give, give, give. This article made me see the gifts you presented are worth so much more than anything I can buy in a store.
Thank you Maria! I’m glad you found it helpful. You are absolutely correct- it is SO easy to give in to all the pressure we’re under at this time of year. I’m sure your friends, family, and coworkers will appreciate the value of your caring communication much more than anything with monetary value.