Mastering the art of appreciation
With Employee Appreciation Day taking place on 4 March and International Women’s Day on 8 March, it’s only timely that we dive into the topics of acknowledgement and appreciation - both which lie at the heart of these two important occasions.
Where are we now?
Appreciation is often used interchangeably with recognition. Yet recognition is about applauding a person’s performance on something, whereas appreciation involves acknowledging their inherent traits. In other words, recognition is about what people do and appreciation is about who they are.
As society evolves, we’re becoming more accepting of ideas previously considered unimportant, such as mental health, self-care and self-appreciation.
What can you do?
Showing appreciation isn’t only about elaborate gestures. Simple things like giving an employee your full attention and truly listening instead of hearing goes a long way.
Tell people - the women in your lives and colleagues at work - what you value about them. Do this often, and without any particular purpose. Ask how they’re doing (and mean it).
What's next?:
Hone the skill to be present in the moment so you can actively seek out something to appreciate.
This may seem difficult at first, but the longer you keep at it, the easier it becomes.