People matter

“There are two things people want more than sex and money... recognition and praise.”--Mary Kay Ash (founder of Mary Kay cosmetics)

When was the last time someone acknowledged you? Noticed something about you that was really true, genuine, authentic? Something about you as person, your inner character.

Straining to remember? You’re not alone. Recognition, acknowledgement, appreciation are in short supply. Especially in the work place. Year after year, surveys show that the one thing that American workers are most dissatisfied with is how they are treated. People feel ignored and unappreciated.

Part of the problem may be that folks are simply not taught how to give acknowledgement. So first, a definition. Acknowledgement is expressing something about who a person is, what their strengths are, or a way in which that person impacted or contributed. Acknowledgement is not praise for an accomplishment--that’s a different skill, the skill of appreciation (which can include praise).

To give acknowledgement, it’s useful to think about who the person is, what their strengths may be, and how they stand out. To hone in on something to acknowledge, rely on what is true for you and about the person whom you wish to recognize. You might aim for something that you might tell about someone but rarely tell the person directly.

When I practice the skill of acknowledgement as a coach, I often preface my words with “what I know about you is…” This signals that I am speaking from a position of honesty and authenticity. It’s crucial that when you give an acknowledgement that you aren’t making something up. If you give a canned acknowledgement, the recognition will fall flat. On the other hand, when you recognize something that is real, you’ll notice that the person being acknowledged really perks up. It’s a bit like hearing someone speak your name from across a crowded room: it gets your attention and rings true.

The next time you have a chance, acknowledge someone who is important to you. It can be your spouse, a co-worker, a friend. Tell them how they contribute to you. We all know that life is short. There has never been a better time to recognize someone. Do it today.

Comments

[amyelj]

Good one--gave you props in my post today!
Amy

[Amy Johnson]

Good one, Tara! Gave you props on my post today.

[Babydolls]

What is amazing is if sex and money come with recognition and praise ;)