The value of 'thank you'

Boosting morale in the midst of a recession doesn't have to be a difficult or costly process; it can, in fact, be as easy to achieve as offering a simple gesture.

Harvard Business' Change Master blogger Rosabeth Moss Kanter argues that it's never been more important to boost the spirits of overworked, uncertain staff.

Accordingly, she suggests an idea that's elegant in its simplicity: a thank-you note.

Sending a personalised and preferably hard-written note tells your employees that you value what they do in a form that won't get lost in their daily barrage of emails.

Middle managers are advised to consider a similar path. An approach they could take includes asking their manager to send out a letter to staff that highlights employee contributions.

Moss Kanter says this warm and fuzzy approach isn't just good for staff members, it can also lift managers' moods as it forces stressed professionals to consider workplace positives.