The 3 Secret Words That Will Make Your Employees Instantly Happy

Have you seen the movie Avatar by James Cameron?

Spoiler Alert!

It’s all about saving Mother Earth. And love.

There is a scene in the movie that steals the hearts of viewers. You can watch it here.

Did you catch the three words that were said?

In fact the 3 words in this scene, I. See. You. , are said throughout the film when the characters truly connect.

When it comes to your workforce, I’m not saying that you have to see them to the degree of loving them like the characters in the film, but if you want them to care, you had better let them know that you do too.

With the whole #MeToo movement, everyone seems to be on pins and needles when it comes to showing appreciation for or kindness toward another at work.

Don’t say that. Don’t do that. Don’t even look at me! Fist bump, please. Pat on the back? Maybe. But don’t rest your hand on my shoulder for too long.

It’s a challenge, to say the least. But, there is a way to show your employees that they matter, that they have a voice and that as a company, you care about what they bring to the table.

There have been many studies over the years that support praise in the workplace over money. Here are a few: Harvard Business Review, Cal Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, which my friend and speaking colleague Emiliana Simon-Thomas, Ph.D., is the Science Director of. And so many more…

Praise is important. Praise is valuable to your employees.

A good CEO friend of mine gave me the book “Love ‘Em or Lose ‘Em,” when I was doing happiness measurement work with companies and curating many studies related to work happiness and employee engagement, which is my area of focus. It’s worth a read to gain some tips and tactics.

And while we can try many different ways to increase work happiness: workshops, guest speakers, team building events and the like; all of which I do for companies, I always seem to come back to these three words.

I. See. You.

Why? Because it’s a basic human need to know that we matter in the world. That we are seen. Understood. Valued. At work. In families. In love relationships. With friends.

When we know we matter, we are happier. It’s that simple.

And when we are happy, we put forth more effort at work. We take less sick days and we go the extra mile. It all positively affects the bottom line with fewer turnover costs and uninterrupted revenue flow.

So the next time an employee comes to you, frustrated that they are not being recognized for their work, feeling stressed out, overworked and underappreciated, let them know you see them. You don’t have to say it that way exactly. You can use your own version. Here are a few.

I. Hear. You.
OR…
I. Get. It.
OR…
I. Totally. Understand.

How do you show your employees that they matter?

Jody is the CEO of C2C Strategic Management, a Bestselling Author, TEDx Speaker, and Work Happiness Expert. If you’d like to get on the launch list for her next book, The MISOGI Method, coming out this year, just text MISOGI to 72000.