Define: Appreciation
For our purposes, the definition of appreciation has two components.
SENSITIVE AWARENESS.
The first step of appreciation is awareness: simply paying attention. That requires being present in the moment and bringing all of our attention to the person or situation. But sensitive awareness implies
more than simply paying attention. It involves the
capacity to make fine distinctions.
AN INCREASE IN VALUE.
When something appreciates,
it grows in value. Someone who lives Commitment 7 has
the intention of having their relations, circumstances,
and experiences become more valuable.
Excerpt from the Book:
Appreciation allows us to recognize the unique gifts of both others and ourselves.
From Above the Line
By Me:
I commit to living in appreciation, fully opening to both receiving and giving appreciation.
From below the Line
To Me:
I commit to feeling entitled to “what’s mine,” resenting when it’s not acknowledged in the way I want.
Practice It:
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE—UNFELTS
If you’d like to enhance appreciation in your organization, try these four ideas:
Idea #1
Do the white/green (or other appropriate colors for your space) exercise (described earlier in this chapter) with your team to exemplify “What you place your attention on grows.”
Idea #2
Place three dimes, heads up, where you can regularly see them. Every day commit to finding three people to appreciate. Whenever you deliver an appreciation (following the keys to mastery: sincere, unarguable, specific, succinct), flip the dime over.
Idea #3
Use this chart to come up with various ways to appreciate. Choose the method that feels
most authentic for the person and situation you are appreciating.
- Spoken Written
- Public Private
- Expected Unexpected
- Professional Personal
Idea #4
Do thirty days of corporate appreciation, which
you can find on our websites.
