Snap's President Transforms Leadership with Handwritten Notes

Snap's president, Ronan Harris, underwent a significant transformation in his leadership approach after his father challenged him to replace impersonal thank-you emails with handwritten notes. This shift in communication style was a pivotal moment that altered Harris's leadership journey, emphasizing the importance of personal connection and genuine appreciation in fostering a positive work environment.

The incident began when Harris was leading a large, fast-growing team and wanted to show appreciation to top performers. He would send them a little email and say, "thanks for all the hard work." However, his father, recognizing the lack of personal touch in his son's emails, encouraged him to adopt a more personal approach. This advice led Harris to start writing handwritten thank-you notes instead of sending generic emails. The change was not merely about the medium of communication but about the intent and effort behind it.

Harris ditched the emails and began writing handwritten notes, delivering them in person, and spending a few minutes sitting with each employee to explain exactly what they had done that mattered. "Thank you so much for your hard work. I know you did this, this and this, and you’ve gone above and beyond," he would say. It became a ritual, one that followed him through the rest of his career, from nearly 18 years at Google to his current role at Snap.

Years later, Harris still runs into people who kept those notes. Some are now in senior leadership roles. "They absolutely remember it," he said. "They remember the fact that some boss, several layers up, actually gave enough of a hoot to actually come and sit down and thank them for the thing that they did." The experience left Harris with a lasting conviction: "Never underestimate the power of gratitude and recognition that you have, and go out of your way to make it count."

This shift in approach not only improved his relationships with his colleagues but also enhanced his overall leadership effectiveness. The personal touch in his communications made his team feel valued and appreciated, fostering a more cohesive and motivated work environment. The transition from impersonal emails to handwritten notes had a profound impact on Harris's leadership style. He began to understand the value of personal connection and the significance of showing genuine appreciation to his team.

Harris's experience highlights the importance of personal communication in leadership. In an era dominated by digital communication, the act of writing a handwritten note stands out as a meaningful gesture. It shows that the sender has taken the time and effort to express their gratitude in a personal and thoughtful manner. This level of personalization can significantly impact the recipient's perception of the sender, making them feel valued and appreciated.

The shift in Harris's communication style also underscores the broader implications of personal connection in leadership. Effective leadership is not just about making strategic decisions or managing resources; it is also about building strong relationships with team members. Personal communication plays a crucial role in this process, as it helps to create a sense of trust and camaraderie within the team. When team members feel valued and appreciated, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated, leading to better overall performance.

In conclusion, Ronan Harris's transformation from sending impersonal emails to writing handwritten notes serves as a powerful example of the importance of personal communication in leadership. This shift not only improved his relationships with his team but also enhanced his overall leadership effectiveness. The experience highlights the value of personal connection and genuine appreciation in fostering a positive work environment, ultimately leading to better performance and success.