A Thankful Heart Puts Food on the Table

A recent Quora post noted that when people are laid off, the most common thing HR people hear is that "This really came out of nowhere." The point of the article was that people should never consider that their job is secure and that they should always act as though their performance each day is key to continued employment, but it reminded me of this story about gratitude.

It was ten days before Christmas, and an elegant Company Christmas Dinner had just wrapped up. After passing out gifts, year-end bonuses, and hearty good wishes, the company owner paid the tab and left the restaurant. Before driving away, he switched on his cellphone volume. Within minutes he received a brief call from an employee, personally thanking him for his generosity and expressing appreciation for the job which continued to provide for his family's needs. The boss hung up with a "Thanks for all you do," and a "Merry Christmas."

It was a small exchange, but these little things pay big dividends. The man's employer certainly noticed him--and he also noticed that his own gratitude odds were lower than Christ's tenth. Other employees likely equated their years of service with company loyalty, and (like everyone else) this man had probably made embarrassing or expensive mistakes, yet it is interesting that the grateful man's salary--and his bonuses--were far higher than those of his coworkers. It is reasonable to think that, if the company faces hard times. the grateful man's job is more secure--even if it costs his employer more to keep him.

A little gratitude doesn't come "out of nowhere," it comes from a thankful heart. Maybe that's where good jobs come from, too.

Photo from South China Morning Post.