By Pam Solberg-Tapper
Giving appreciation to others really matters. It lifts people up, tells them they are valued and builds relationships with employees, co-workers, friends or family members.
Here’s the best way to give meaningful appreciation in only 3 steps.
- What did the person do that you appreciate?
Specifically state the action, accomplishment or situation that you appreciate.
Examples: finished complex project; dealt with difficult customer, fixed a problem, did the dishes
- What attribute(s) did you see, admire or respect in the other person as they did what you appreciate?
Examples: courage, caring, determination, integrity, creativity, focus, initiative
- Use this framework to express your appreciation (and fill in the specifics).
When you _what did the person do?_ you showed _what attribute did they demonstrate?__.
Here are some examples:
- When you finished the complex project, you showed determination.
- When you dealt with the difficult customer, you showed that you cared.
- When you fixed that problem, you showed creativity.
- When you did the dishes, you showed initiative.
When you combine what the person did with a personal attribute, your appreciation has deeper meaning and genuinely matters.