A simple ‘thank you’ can go a long way

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Frank Van Horn
  • 86th Flying Training Squadron commander
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Many of us are familiar with the book, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” by Robert Fulghum. The theme centers around basic lessons we should have learned as children on how to interact with one another.

I am convinced that if any of us read Fulghum’s book, we would nod our heads in agreement with just about everything he has to say in there. How could you not; they are the basic lessons your parents taught you.

One of the cornerstones of instruction and learning is the value of repetition. We can learn our multiplication tables, but without constant practice, the lesson is only short term and after a short period of time we forget.

I am convinced the principle of repetition is just as important in our interaction skills with others. If we don’t practice the skills our parents taught us, we end up forgetting those lessons. If we are lucky, we will be presented with an opportunity to relearn some of the important lessons we may have forgotten.

I had such an opportunity recently, and my “instructor” was a senior airman who helped me “relearn” one of those valuable lessons we originally learned in kindergarten.

The “classroom” where this lesson occurred was my office. Under mounting piles of e-mails, OPRs, course critiques, and a frustrating meeting schedule, I was not in a particularly good mood.

As I was sorting through the piles on my desk I ran across a brightly colored envelope addressed simply to “Lt. Col. Van Horn”. I opened it up and inside was a thank you note from one of our fantastic airmen who I had just flown recently on an incentive flight in a T-1 Jayhawk.

Her simple words of thanks for showing her what we did in the 86th brought a smile to my face that had been missing all day long. The impact was immediate. My focus returned.

I remembered the most important asset in any endeavor is people. I instantly understood the power of those two simple words.

The piles of paperwork shrank in importance and I remembered my primary job was to motivate and guide the airmen in my unit towards accomplishing our mission. And finally, I “remembered” that some of the best motivational tools ever made were the two simple words “thank you”.

I left the office and went out into the flight rooms where our mission happens everyday. I took the time to thank the instructor pilots for their long hours and extra efforts. I took the time to congratulate some students on recent check ride successes. That is when I remembered another lesson I learned long ago, a positive attitude is contagious. A simple thank you from a senior airman had immeasurable impact on the morale of my squadron that day.

So when you find yourself feeling down or have had a tough day, remember that some of our most powerful motivational tools are the simplest and they don’t cost a thing.

So be liberal with your praise and thanks -- it doesn't cost you a thing and their positive impact is truly immeasurable.