The Power of a Note

On my first job as sports editor for the Montpelier (Ohio) Leader Enterprise, I didn't get a lot of fan mail, so I was intrigued by a letter that was dropped on my desk one morning.

[2] When I opened it, I read: "A nice piece of writing on the Tigers. Keep up the good work." It was signed by Don Wolfe, the sports editor. Because I was a teenager (being paid the grand total of 15 cents a column inch [N], his words couldn't have been more inspiring. [N] I kept the letter in my desk drawer until it got rag-eared. Whenever I doubted I had the right stuff to be a writer [N], I would reread Don's note and feel confident again.

[3] Later, when I got to know him, I learned that Don made a habit of [N] writing a quick, encouraging word [N] to people in all walks of life. "When I make others feel good about themselves," he told me, "I feel good too."

[4] Not surprisingly, he had a body of friends as big as nearby Lake Erie [N]. When he died last year at 75, the paper was flooded with calls and letters [N] from people who had been recipients of his spirit-lifting words.

[5] Over the years, I've tried to copy the example of Don and other friends who care enough to write uplifting comments, because I think they are on to something important. In a world too often cold and unresponsive, such notes bring warmth and reassurance. We all need a boost from time to time, and a few lines of praise have been known to turn around a day [N], even a life.

[6] Why, then, are there so few upbeat note writers? My guess is that many who shy away from the practice are too self-conscious [N]. They're afraid they'll be misunderstood, sound sentimental or insincere. Also, writing takes time; it's far easier to pick up the phone.

[7] The drawback with phone calls, of course, is that they don't last. A note attaches [N] more importance to our well-wishing. It is a matter of record [N], and our words can be read more than once, savored and treasured.

[8] Even though note writing may take longer, some pretty busy people do it, including George Bush. Some say he owes [N] much of his success in politics to his ever-ready [N] pen. How? Throughout his career he has followed up virtually every contact with a cordial response—a compliment, a line of praise or a nod of thanks. [N] His notes go not only to friends and associates, but to casual acquaintances and total strangers—like the surprised person who got a warm pat on the back for lending Bush an umbrella.

[9] Even top corporate managers, who have mostly affected styles of leadership that can be characterized only as tough, cold and aloof, have begun to learn the lesson, and earn the benefits, of writing notes that lift people up. [N] Former Ford chairman Donald Peterson, who is largely credited for turningthe company round in the 1980s, made it a practice to write positive messages to associates every day. [N] "I'd just scribble them on a memo pad or the corner of a letter and pass