5 Ways to Give Genuine Appreciation

I want you to spend this winter break reflecting on all the ways you can express appreciation to your colleagues and team members; even the really tough-to-stomach ones. View in browser  Hello ! December is typically when I reflect on my professional and personal growth. I need to feel I have grown before I can move forward. This year, though, there was a noticeable change in me that I can’t attribute to just this year. It definitely was something that was seeded before COVID, but COVID provided the conditions for this change to blossom. It has enriched both my professional and personal life. It may seem obvious and simple to achieve, but adopting and sustaining a disposition of being Genuinely Appreciative has not come quickly or easily. I want you to spend this winter break reflecting on all the ways you can express appreciation to your colleagues and team members; even the really tough-to-stomach ones. I know for a fact that when people feel appreciated, they will be more positive and be more receptive to cooperating. Herein lies the opportunity to develop truly transformational relationships. What I am asking you to consider During this Winter Break, and perhaps as a New Year’s resolution, I ask you to consciously consider taking 3-minutes out of everyday to express gratitude to someone close to you. They are often the ones we take most for granted. Hopefully, in time, the act of expressing appreciation becomes so natural to you that you find yourself giving it regularly to colleagues, who in time will reciprocate. Expressing genuine appreciation involves acknowledging the efforts, qualities, and contributions of others with sincerity and authenticity. Here are 5 ways to express appreciation genuinely: Be Present: Give your undivided attention. This allows you to notice and appreciate the subtleties and nuances that make them unique. Listen Actively: This deepens your understanding of their perspective and helps you respond with empathy and gratitude. Express Gratitude: A simple, heartfelt "thank you" can go a long way in making someone feel valued and respected. Be Specific: Saying thank you is a great start, saying what specifically you are thankful to them for is even better. Foster a Positive Attitude: Maintaining a positive outlook can help you see the good in people and situations, making it easier to express your appreciation sincerely. Like every month, I have also included a mix of additional learning resources, including my Delegation Self-Guided Online Course. This is a small gift to say thank you for honoring me with your time and attention each month. Have a wonderful holiday break, Michael I would greatly appreciate it if you can share this link with your colleagues to register for my newsletters. Free Leadership Development Resources Delegation Upon completing this course you will be able to: Articulate the challenges & benefits of delegation Learn a 5-step delegation process Plan to delegate to three different types of team members Communicate effectively to ensure understanding and buy-in for delegated tasks This 2-hour asynchronous online course, normally USD 9.99, is free for my newsletter subscribers. Clicking on the link above will apply a discount code. The subscription will expire after 30-days, which should be ample time to improve your delegation skills. Take the Course Where I will be in 2024 Beijing, China – January 15-18 Shanghai, China – January 19-26 Shenzhen and Guangzhou, China, January 29-31 Beijing, China, March 4-6 21CL Conference, Hong Kong – March 8-9 EARCOS Teachers Conference, Bangkok – March 20-23 Singapore – April 1-3 Beijing, China - April 3-5 ACAMIS Spring Leadership Conference, Hangzhou, China – April 25-27 ACAMIS Middle Leaders Workshop, Guangzhou, China – May 3-4 ACAMIS Middle Leaders Workshop, Beijing, China – May 10-11 Email me Thought Provoking Articles How School Leaders Can Help Teachers Flourish in the Classroom A teacher and coach offers strategies to help ensure that educators will feel supported as professionals. Workplace Griping: The Key Release Valve Your Culture Lacks Chronic complainers are annoying. But when employees can’t complain? That can be a whole lot worse. 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