A gratitude story

Surprise fosters bigger emotional impact

In my organization gratitude is not common (the quiz from Berkley rated it at 31) so when during a meeting the new boss said "Well done" and"Thank you" to me in particular, I was surprised. Having worked for over 10 years in this organization this was the first time that I received such accolades, which I perceived as real, not a generic line like "thanks to all the personnel involved" that  is at the bottom of an email that (almost) nobody reads. The result of this praise was me working harder and showing more initiative, which I hope helped the organization further.

What is a provocation or insight that might inspire others during this challenge?

How to tell genuine gratitude from the standard management textbook approach? Personalize approach, otherwise it feels flat. Surprise deepens the feelings => bigger emotional impact.

Tell us about yourself

I teach & research Computer Science at a University in Romania (East Europe). I chose this job because I love interacting with humans and different ideas. My country's society is set in the old ways and resistant to change. Research is a way to devise change that education can implement.