Whether you are a leader in an organization, in your home, in your church or in your community, these times of turmoil in the world are asking much of those around us. It is easy to forget how valuable a regular moment of acknowledgment and recognition can be in keeping others going.
Several years ago, during a family visit, I was reminded. I was in the kitchen making breakfast and I noticed there was a big glass jar about half full of marbles. Austin, age 5 at the time, saw me admiring them and said with his face beaming, "Those are mine! I asked him to tell me about them. "Well, when I do something really nice, like .... (long pause while he was thinking) ... like help my sister and clean up my toys, my mom and dad put a marble in the jar. See how many I've earned so far?!" I said, "You must be a very nice person." "I am." he said still glowing with self-assurance.
As a leader, especially when times are stressful, it is easy to find fault with others or overlook their achievements and milestones of progress. These difficult times also make our acknowledgements even more important. One leader told me one time, "No one recognizes me, so I find it difficult to recognize others." How sad. If you want to build confidence, morale and momentum in a positive direction, there is nothing more effective than acknowledging what others are doing RIGHT.
The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated"
--- William James
Five Ways to Show Support and Appreciation
Showing support and appreciation asks more of us, but the returns are invaluable to the receiver and the giver when it is genuine and meaningful. I am so grateful for a couple of mentors who helped me make acknowledgment and recognition a conscious leadership practice. Below are five ideas I learned from their example. Now, I share them with you:
1. Say thank you genuinely ... and often.
2. When you know someone has a big task ahead, leave a voicemail or email to express your support. It could be in advance or be timed to arrive to be there waiting for them when the work is done.
3. Pass along a personal achievement memento that belongs to you to commemorate a new generation of excellence. Include the story of how you received it and its relationship to their honor.
4. Call someone who has been making a real personal effort to change. Acknowledge the difference you've noticed. Give some specific examples of your observations.
5. When your success has been influenced by someone else's example or advice, credit them. Also, take time to express your appreciation.
What other ideas come to mind?
Debbe
Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
www.globaldialoguecenter.com
Home of Women in the Lead
Author...
Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership and High Performance
by Debbe Kennedy ▪ Berrett-Koehler ▪ Hardcover
www.puttingourdifferencestowork.com
Twitter:@debbekennedy
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