November 15. Batteries Included.

As leaders, we give many things in our roles. We give directions for what to do as well as for what not to do. Those directions take the form of instructions. But possibly the most important thing we give as leaders is appreciation and affirmation to our team members.

There are two ways in which to give this AA duo that I know of. They are by using words and the other is by actions. The easier of the two is to use words. Saying please and thank you is the basic start. But even writing a bonus check is done by using words.

The more difficult of the AA duo is to use actions. How do you show your team members appreciation without using words? To do so requires some deep thinking to do it effectively. There is no better time to show these types of actions than during November that celebrates Thanksgiving.

What might you do for your team members during this time of year? I suspect your team does not gather on Thanksgiving. It is a day that many people gather with their families. But as a leader, who says you cannot impact your team’s day off.

If they are giving thanks, how might you show your thanks for them and all that they do to impact results for others? Consider that your team likely wants to be appreciated in their family as well. Sharing with our teams’ families that our team members are important and valued might just be an energizing boost your team needs.

It is common for leaders to gather and invite team family members to retirements. Why would a leader wait to invite the family to the day a member is leaving? Who can you provide some energy to with your AA duo this week?

As Christians, the end of the year brings with it two interesting holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The secular world has turned Thanksgiving into the start of the shopping season which delivers us to Christmas. But Christmas is about Christ, a gift to us from God.

We read, “Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!” 2 Corinthians 9:15 NLT. If this gift of Christ is too wonderful for words, how are we showing our appreciation? You have probably heard the expression "words are cheap." If our words are cheap then it might be like giving away a battery powered toy with dead batteries.

Maybe the emphasis this holiday season can be on our showing and sharing. There is power in the idea of showing and sharing to affirm and appreciate others. It is an AA duo, and it is fully charged by God. God’s gift comes batteries included. Are we using the batteries?

There is about half the month of November left and all of December. How much energy could you create in your team with the AA duo? Consider what would happen on your team if every day you were to genuinely show and share why you appreciate how your team members make a difference.

What is the first thing you can do about it in the next seven days?

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, we appreciate your efforts and your gifts. There is so much joy to be had through you. Let us pray, show you through our behaviors, through our kneeling, through our raised hands, and through our hands reaching out in your name. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,