When it comes to birthdays, how many of you work in an organization where a boss, principal, superintendent, or other direct supervisor simply give you a card and sign their name? This approach is so impersonal and is one of my ultimate pet peeves!! But unfortunately I was "that person" until I read EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey. Dave suggested that leadership should consider sending birthday emails to every employee. While I'm a much bigger fan of hand-written notes as opposed to emails...I took his suggestion and it has paid huge dividends. Not only have the birthday emails opened up a pathway for providing positive feedback (see below), but it has also allowed me to have easy follow-up conversations about birthday festivities with those employees once I see them out in our buildings.
