Mike Wirth, chairman and CEO of Chevron, takes time to ship customized messages of appreciation to staff throughout the worldwide power large.
In a wide-ranging interview Thursday on the How Leaders Lead podcast with host David Novak, the top of the second largest U.S. oil firm by market cap defined how recognizing others is a crucial piece of sustaining a powerful company tradition.
For instance, when he visits Chevron staff all over the world, they function his hosts, present him their operations, and take him to satisfy clients.
Afterward, he writes a letter to them—the “old school, on paper” sort that you just don’t get a lot anymore, Wirth identified.
He added that he pays cautious consideration to every individual he interacted with and sends letters to every one to thank them for his or her time in addition to recognizing what they talked about and sharing how a lot he valued it.
“I think back to when I was early in my career, and if a CEO had sent me a letter and actually knew what I was doing, it would have been a really big deal for me,” Wirth stated. “And so I try to remember what it was like to be in the jobs that I’m visiting and that I had those jobs myself one time. And I want to make sure that people know that I appreciate them.”
Once you’re operating an organization as large as Chevron, all these meet-and-greets can add up. After getting back from a visit, Wirth estimated that he writes 60-80 letters.
“It’s important to me I that make sure people understand that I was paying attention and I really do value what they do,” he defined.
Taking the time to put in writing thank-you letters can repay as current surveys present many staff don’t really feel valued sufficient.
In line with a report from Canva, 56% really feel appreciated or very appreciated at work, whereas 44% really feel unacknowledged or impartial in how their employer addresses their contributions, and 75% want they felt extra valued.
In the meantime, different CEOs additionally exit of their option to write to point out their appreciation with customized notes.
Neiman Marcus CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck swears by them and advised Fortune final 12 months that he sends thank-you notes each single day.
Earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic, van Raemdonck stated he would ship anyplace between three and 5 handwritten thank-you notes a day. Throughout and after the pandemic, as staff switched to distant or hybrid work schedules, he switched to texts, emails, and fast cellphone calls.
“I want to be a generous leader,” he stated. “The way I remind myself is by recognizing the generosity of others.”
