Have you ever gotten an “attaboy” or “attagirl” that just left you feeling flat?

The most common reason why appreciation misses the mark is simple: the person expressing acknowledgment failed to understand what’s meaningful to the person they’re acknowledging. (more…)

The ability to have significant positive impact can seem out of reach for many people.  And leadership is often viewed as something bestowed according to roles and responsibilities.

But are those assumptions valid?  Or do they keep us stuck feeling as if we’re at the mercy of our situation?

It’s easy to think that the little things we do don’t matter.  The reality is, though, that we do have that kind of influence.  And true leadership isn’t about the authority or power that’s been given to us based on the role we play; it’s about the moment-by-moment choices we make and the impact those choices have on the people around us. (more…)

Most people think of appreciation in terms of recognizing special achievement.  When a team meets a goal, when an individual goes above and beyond to make a difference – these are things we typically feel worthy of acknowledgment and reward.

It’s obvious that achievements should be celebrated.  Yet there are many day-to-day opportunities to recognize the unique value that we all bring to every situation we’re in.  And it’s those ongoing day-to-day acknowledgements that bring teams together, foster collaboration, and create sustainable success that everyone in the organization can feel proud of. (more…)