The first quarter of 2023 flew by. No doubt you are already hurtling into the new quarter. But before you put the pedal to the metal, it’s a good idea to STOP for a moment and acknowledge what you and your team have accomplished so far this year. I hear you saying, ‘we’re too busy.’ But the power of appreciation will give you a strong start for what’s next and set you up as a leader people want to work with. More about that later.
One objection to stopping to acknowledge progress I often encounter goes something like, ‘We’re not finished yet.’ But you may be pushing up daises before it’s all done! It’s easy to keep driving for bigger, better, and faster results, only to find your team is exhausted and dissatisfied. The end of a quarter is an opportune time to take stock of what you’ve accomplished so far. The impact of appreciation is so positive people often want to practice it much more frequently.
A good place to start is to acknowledge yourself for what it takes to be a leader. This is not blowing your own trumpet. It’s acknowledging it takes courage to put yourself out there, deal with the challenges and risk being critiqued by your team and peers.
That will set you up to acknowledge your team, and anyone else who is important in your orbit. Your team may have gone beyond your expectations. Even if they didn’t, they likely gave you plenty to be thankful for; if you look for it.
People underestimate the benefits of appreciation, which may explain why it’s in such short supply in the workplace. Cultivating a culture of gratitude is more sustainable. What’s more, it will help you build respect as a leader people want to work with.
In one US survey, 81 percent of respondents said they’d be willing to work harder for an appreciative boss; 70 per cent said they’d feel better about themselves and their efforts if their boss thanked them more often.
🙋 What are some ways you show appreciation to your team and colleagues? 🙋♀️
Best regards, Brian