Prompting Meaningful Conversation
“Thanksgiving Thankfuls” has become an annual tradition at Footers. It has had such a big impact on our team that it is now included in our non-traditional benefits for those who qualify. Managers are asked to write one to two sentences about every other person on our management team. This year we had three prompts our team could choose from for each person:
How did this person help you to achieve success in your role this year?
How does this person positively impact you?
How does this person embody one of our nine core values at Footers?
April and I then collect all of the responses, find a creative way to compile them (with some help from Stephanie and Erin in our design department), and then present them as a gift to each team member during a celebration the week before Thanksgiving. This year it was a journal with the thankfuls printed on stickers and spread among the pages. During the dinner we take turns reading what was written to one another, toasting what we have accomplished so far this year, and setting intentions for the upcoming holiday season.
What started as twelve team members doing this for one another has now ballooned to twenty-seven managers taking part. Despite the fact that it takes a considerable amount of time for our team to complete, I was struck by how many shared with me that they truly enjoyed the process of writing something for each person and found it to be rewarding. I’m proud that as our team has grown, we’ve evolved and in true Footers’ fashion “mibe’d” this tradition while at the same time preserving how special it is. We no longer read every submission, a handful of thankfuls are still read by a fellow team member so each person can just take in the kind words that have been submitted. Instead of a breakfast the day before Thanksgiving, we now do a potluck dinner the week before people start traveling. And we’ve added an intentional table question that each person answers during dinner.
I believe people are longing for meaningful conversation. Too many times we get caught in the safety zone of surface-level chit-chat that consists of the latest news stories, weather forecasts, and most recent sporting events. And during group dinners when there are many people around a table, we default to talking with the person seated next to us instead of trying to have everyone participate in one conversation. This is a prime opportunity though to ask a thought-provoking question that allows people to share more about who they really are and get to know one another on a deeper level. Hence the prompt for our table question. This year we all talked about our favorite Thanksgiving tradition and then shared a time when we truly felt appreciated.
Reflecting on our celebration last week, I learned something about many of our team members. There were laughs and there were tears. There were many hugs, smiles, well wishes, and a bit of dancing during clean-up that brought us all closer together. Overall, it was a room filled with gratitude and love. Like many of you, I’m incredibly grateful for my fellow team members. They continue to inspire me, and I know I would not be where I am today without them. As you reflect on the things you are grateful for, I would like to wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving. And if you’re up to it, I encourage you to prompt a meaningful question at your table this year.
What meaningful question will you ask your loved ones as you celebrate the holiday together? Feel free to share in the comments!
