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Saying thank you: A quick guide to giving great appreciations at work, home, and everywhere else

  • January 12, 2026 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

  • Central Standard Time

This event is now over
Description

Did you know that a sincere appreciation is often more meaningful than a raise and more effective than “constructive criticism”? A genuine “thank you” can strengthen relationships, boost morale, and change the tone of an entire room, but many of us rush past appreciation or rely on a quick pat on the back without any thought or meaning. This practical, engaging 45-minute workshop helps participants learn how to give appreciations that feel specific, sincere, and meaningful in any setting.

Through real-world examples, shared experiences, and simple exercises, participants will explore what makes an appreciation memorable, why some expressions of gratitude fall flat, and how to tailor a thank-you to different people and contexts, whether at work, at home, or in everyday interactions. The workshop emphasizes clarity, presence, and generosity rather than perfection or performance.

Participants will leave with:

  • An understanding of why appreciation is effective and impactful, and more lasting that criticism
  • A clear framework for giving effective, authentic appreciations
  • Tools for making gratitude specific, timely, and impactful
  • Increased confidence in expressing thanks without awkwardness or overthinking
  • Practical takeaways they can use immediately in professional and personal relationships

Ideal for coaches, leaders, organizations, parents, and community groups, Saying Thank You offers a quick, human-centered reset on one of the simplest, effective, and powerful communication tools we have.

Two sessions, same material. January 12 and 14, 2026. Each workshop is 45 minutes long, starting at the noted time.

This workshop is based on 30+ years of appreciative coaching, neuroscience, and the work of Doug Lipman, with gratitude.

Date & Time

Mon, Jan 12, 2026 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Laura Packer

The stories we tell matter. Whether we are telling to kids, crafting a presentation for work, preparing for a concert, or something else entirely, what we say and how we say it is important. 

Listening matters. When we listen to each other we find understanding and compassion we might otherwise have missed. 

Storyteller, coach, and author Laura Packer has 30+ years of experience helping people create and share stories, listen to each other more deeply, and leading organizations and individuals to better stories and deeper self-understanding.. She understands the transformational power of storytelling and listening, and how they help us understand ourselves, each other, and the world.

In addition to her award-winning performance and writing work, Laura is an experienced coach and educator, helping people understand themselves, their stories, and their worlds.. Her coaching and teaching work ranges from storytelling to writing to creativity to social change and more, and has been described as "transformational."

As the sole proprietor of thinkstory.com, Laura helps for- and non-profits identify, craft and hone their stories. Whether for marketing, recruitment, fund raising, leadership, or something else, every organization has stories that need to be told.

Find out more at laurapacker.com and thinkstory.com