Accomplishing Work; Showing appreciation LO25731

From: Peggy Stuart (pstuart@ctt.bc.ca)
Date: 12/01/00


Replying to LO25715 --

Bill McQueen wrote:

"One thing I like some discussion about is along the lines of
"appreciation", and how and why we need to "appreciate" others in all
aspects of our lives. Whether facing frustrations, obstacles, or great
achievements, it seems to me a critical factor, not just one of
"acknowledging" the "employee of the month" or giving "bonuses", or a
gratuituous "pat on the back" but genuine and honest appreciation of
others. To me, not appreciating, is just setting up another barrier to
being a compassionate human, not just an "ineffective" manager. Nor is
non-appreciation an unimportant part of personal and organisational
learning."

Hi Bill:

I think even a genuine "pat on the back" would fall short of truly being
appreciative.

I try to do be genuinely appreciative by paying attention to what is going
on in my work-mates' lives, both professionally and personally. This gives
me the explicit and tacit information I need to appreciate the people
around me. That to me is the most important part ... you have to truly be
appreciative. Recognize the person behind the work. Understand that these
human that you spend 1/3 of your day with are worth listening to. Be aware
that everyone possesses something fascinating about them that you could
learn from.

And communication being 80 percent non-verbal, I feel that this feeling
gets effectively communicated to the people around me whether I open my
mouth or not.

So for me, I concentrate on being a compassionate human first, which
allows me the freedom and pleasure to appreciate those around me in both
traditional and non-traditional ways, which people have told me makes me a
good leader. (Except when I am stuck behind a computer screen ... if over
50 percent of my day is not spent interacting with people, then this whole
thing falls to pieces and I start getting called a meanie)

Cheers,

Peg

-- 

Peggy Stuart <pstuart@ctt.bc.ca>

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