A leadership tip from NASA's Dr. James T. Brown

Another tool in the leader's toolbox for recognizing Sailors is the handwritten note - not an e-mail, not a preprinted thank-you card, but a handwritten note. This means ink on paper in your distinctive handwriting. You should have within arm's distance of your work environment, and in your briefcase assorted blank thank-you cards. Handwritten notes go a long way because they show that you value the recipient enough to take your personal time to acknowledge his or her contribution and effort.

Many leaders don't write thank-you cards because they don't know what to write. If you fall into this category, I suggest you get a copy of Effective Phrases for Performance Appraisal by James E. Neal.  This book is equally helpful in writing performance appraisals, letters of recommendation, award nominations, etc. No one is going to give you a medal for struggling to write every word yourself.