Appreciation is an experience of acknowledging another person in a way where they feel respected and admired for a particular attribute or set of attributes. This is a word that is often attached to personal relationships. It is equally relevant in professional relationships. Many outstanding books have been written about the importance of building authentic professional relationships. They are the life-blood of your professional development in a way that creates reciprocity with others. The opposite is chasing, begging, bragging, or forcing. For many years when I first built my business I would send holiday greeting cards with a stunning picture from a location that I traveled to during the year. These were the kind of pictures that would engender a feeling of awe. The pictures always stood out from everyone else’s holiday cards. I wrote a personal message in each card, telling the client very specifically something that I appreciated about them during the year that they would easily recall. This could have been a referral, a joint presentation, a book recommendation, or even a shared lunch in which I learned something new. These notes could not have been more authentic, and matched with an awe-inspiring photo I personally took, they were the perfect balance. People looked forward to the cards like gifts. These seeds grew a garden that continued to thrive over many decades. To really make this a powerful leadership skill, one must develop this habit like all the rest. It cannot be a self-serving gesture, “If I do this, they will do that.” It includes colleagues, subordinates, and everyone you come in contact with professionally. This mindset and habit shapes the perception people have of you as someone who is generous and takes the time to recognize the contributions of others no matter how large or small.

 

The Exercise: Showing Appreciation Daily

This may seem a bit exaggerated, but starting your day with gratitude for being alive on the planet, having your health, and the opportunity to do something outstanding for another day is a great way to orient. Make it a practice to extend a gesture of gratitude at least once during the day, something that you may not ordinarily do. It can be words, a note, an invitation, a team-wide or company-wide acknowledgment, a coffee/tea, or your time just to listen. As you can see, it revolves little around an economic transaction.