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…)

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…)

From www.helpothers.org, used with permission.

• Take flowers to work and share them with coworkers.
• Write a note to the boss of someone who has helped you, praising the employee.
• Leave enough money in the vending machine for the next person to get a free treat. (Tape the change
   and a Smile card* tag to the machine)
• Have a food drive, ask employees to bring nonperishable food items to donate to food bank.
• Get to work before others and leave a piece of candy, brownie, fruit, flower, etc. at every desk attached
   with a Smile card.
• Leave a cake or other food item in a central area anonymously with a Thank-You note.
• Appreciate a co-worker by giving them a gift of service. For example, instead of a tie for birthday or
   Christmas, make a contribution to sponsor a cataract surgery in a developing country. Attach a note
   explaining how their gift affects someone else’s life.
• Gather a group of your colleagues and take them to a fundraiser.
• Email an article about an act of kindness to your group every week.
• Give your manager or co-worker a thought-provoking book.
• Print an inspiring story and put it on your work bulletin board.
• Buy a cup of coffee or snack for someone who’s having a long day.

*Smile Cards are markers of a newfangled game of tag, where “you’re it” because someone has done something nice for you. Then it’s your turn to do something nice for someone else and, in the process, pass the card along. 

Helpothers.org is a portal dedicated to small acts of kindness. There you will find inspirational stories & articles documenting acts of kindness, downloadable Smile card designs and much more!  www.helpothers.org