The Power Of Appreciation - An Essential Life Ingredient

You may have heard the old saying, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." This is often used when you're in an awkward situation with someone and you're not sure what to do. But is it always appropriate?

It might be good advice in some circumstances, but there are other scenarios where this can backfire. If a person is hurting or suffering, it's best to be supportive rather than sarcastic. If you have a problem with the way someone puts things, there are other ways of expressing that without being rude.

Instead of just saying "I don't like your shirt," you can say, "You're wearing that? Why?" This gives the person an opportunity to explain their choice in fashion.

The Power Of Appreciation - An Essential Life Ingredient

So how do you show appreciation for other people? Here are some examples:

When: You're in a meeting and someone asks for your opinion. In most cases, it's okay simply to say yes or no to a specific question. However, if you have an innovative idea that nobody else has thought of yet, it's always appreciated to share it.

Your response: "This idea is really good. I like the way you've applied this skill to this particular problem." Or "I love what you've done here with this approach. You used the resources so well."

When: Someone praises your work. It feels great when people appreciate your work and what you have achieved. It makes a huge difference if they point out specific things that they appreciate about you or your efforts. This works especially well when it's somebody who has a higher status than you or who is more experienced in the field. Your response: "Thank you for noticing these things about my performance. I know it's not perfect, but I appreciate you pointing it out."

When: Someone sees your efforts to build a relationship in the team. In some cases, people are so busy doing their work that they don't realize how well they're doing at building relationships with others. You could let the person know that they seem to be creating strong rapport with the rest of the team and how your colleagues appreciate their efforts. Your response: "You really seem to be building relationships well in our team. People seem to like working with you."

When: You realize that someone is having a hard time or has suffered a setback. You can show empathy and support to the person by mentioning how you appreciate their efforts to improve their situation. Your response: "I'm aware that things haven't worked out the way that you wanted in the last project or two. It seems like you are trying really hard to turn things around. I appreciate your determination."

When: You've had a chance to see a colleague's positive side in action. You can let that person know that you appreciate how they do what they do or what they bring to the table, or you can simply mention one thing that stands out for you about them. Your response: "You really know how to manage people well." Or "I really admire your work ethic. It's a joy to see you come in early every morning and stay late, even through lunch."

When: You let someone know that they are appreciated or that you value their input. In some cases, people can feel overlooked or forgotten. So pointing out that you appreciate their efforts or the fact that they have made a difference is important for the person's morale.

When: Someone has shown you respect. Even though most of us would like to be respected all of the time, it's not always possible in a workplace environment where there may be disagreements and conflicts. So if someone has demonstrated respect for you, let them know that it was appreciated. Your response: "In a situation where most people would be irritated, you were calm and respectful. I really appreciate that."

When: Someone just needs to hear kind words to make them feel better. There are times when people are feeling down, and they need to be encouraged rather than criticized. Acknowledging their efforts is a good way to help them feel better about themselves. Your response: "I know that it must be hard work with all of the challenges you face in your job, but you still have a positive attitude every day."

When: You've noticed that someone should be recognized for their efforts. It's important to recognize the hard work, perseverance and good ideas others have. This can make a huge difference in their confidence and motivation. Your response: "Your ideas have made a significant difference in this project. We couldn't have done it without you."

When: You'd like to bring more positive energy into the working environment. In some cases, people can get so busy with their work that they forget how powerful they are as individuals and what they are capable of doing with their talents and skills. So pointing out that you are inspired by someone's exceptional efforts can make them feel great about themselves. Your response: "Your passion for this project is really inspiring." Or "I admire your work ethic. Your energy is infectious."

When: You want to make a positive change in the workplace. One way you can do this is by making a positive change in your day-to-day actions. When someone notices your efforts, it makes a huge difference for their morale. Your response: "I admire your willingness to speak up when you see something that needs attention." Or "I noticed how you contributed to our project in many ways. I really appreciate that about you."

Last but not least, we need to remember that there are times when it's okay just to leave people alone! We may be irritated by someone's attitude or behavior, but we should try not to let this turn into feelings of resentment against them. If we can only say something positive to a person, then we should just keep our mouths shut !

Also, it's important not to pay attention to the criticism of others when they mention something negative about you. If it isn't something that's worthy of your attention, then you shouldn't give it any. Take the high road!

If you're wondering what kind of messages are okay to send and what kind aren't, here is a quick cheat sheet: Critical messages are not okay while positive messages are! Example - if you notice that someone is wearing odd shoes and this makes you think that they must have poor fashion sense... Well... you don't have to say it outright! Instead, you could just say something like this: "I'm sorry to hear that." You don't need to add anything else. This kind of comment is better than saying something like this: "Your shoes are hideous!" Or "You must be so poor to not be able to buy yourself proper work shoes!" The first statement is better because it focuses on the person rather than their shoes. It shows them empathy and respect, and it's nicer in general. People who are open communicators in the workplace tend to get along well with others who understand these kinds of messages. They tend to receive more support from their colleagues, and they also have a better impression of those around them.

Conclusion

In today's workplace, there is a lot of value in being an open communicator. When we focus on the positive instead of being negative, we make things better for everyone. We communicate well with our coworkers, and at the end of the day, we are happier in our jobs and our lives.

What do you think? Have you ever found yourself in a situation where someone has made a negative or critical comment about your work? How did you handle it? I'd love to hear from my readers with their stories so that everyone can learn from them!

Helpful resources:

Positive Words, Positive Power , by Victor Kiam

PowerSpeak , by James A. Belasco and Robert R.