Written by Mike Jensen – Photo by Kelly Sikkema

During a recent all-staff meeting, our Founder, Brea Starmer, took a moment to express gratitude for all the things we have collectively contributed to Lions & Tigers over the course of the last few weeks and months.  It was a vulnerable moment that was genuine and heartfelt. That brief moment of gratitude filled me with a sense of energy and motivation, because I knew through that interaction how much we were all appreciated for our contributions.  It made me want to do more, lean in a little further and go that extra mile to drive impact with our business, our clients, and our community.

Appreciation, and more specifically the expression of that appreciation, is a critical tool that is often underutilized by both leaders and individual contributors.  This article from HRD Magazine articulates it well noting that scientific research shows the expression of gratitude has numerous benefits to workplace culture, as well as employee productivity. The “busyness” of work and life have us always thinking about what’s next rather than taking the precious, valuable time to pause and recognize the contributions of those around us.  We forget that this simple act can have a profound impact.

As you consider a more intentional approach to expressing appreciation for others, here are three components to be mindful of:

Don’t wait – Expressing appreciation needs to be top of mind for you so that it becomes a consistent part of your ongoing communication.  You don’t have to wait for an annual review, but instead, should find ways to weave this into the fabric of ongoing dialogue with people you interact with. In a recent client interaction, we were discussing the expansive amount of work that had been done by the team in a short amount of time.  While everyone felt accomplished, there was also uncertainty creeping in because there was very little expression of appreciation for all that had been done.  This uncertainty led to a feeling of discouragement. That sentiment quickly shifted when the client took the time to express their appreciation to the team.

Details matter – Appreciation is more than a “Great Job”, rather it is an opportunity to be specific about the contributions someone has made.  It shows you noticed the details and also helps reinforce the things that are important to ongoing success.  At Lions + Tigers we utilize a slack channel to share #Kudos with our community.  It provides an opportunity for leaders and consultants to be thoughtful and detailed in recognizing their teammates, while also providing examples of what can drive positive impact and results.

Be genuine – Appreciation is not a “have to” moment; it’s a “get to” moment.    It is the chance, as leaders or partners in relationships, to not just fulfill a requirement, but be vulnerable and let those around you know you’ve noticed…and you care.  If you are just checking the box, you are not doing it for the right reasons.  Consider this an opportunity to really reflect on the impact people around you are having and embrace the chance to show empathy and compassion for them as people. Psychotherapist Amy Morin speaks to this point best in her 2016 Forbes article pointing out that the expression of appreciation can’t be forced or artificial as that doesn’t support true appreciation.

However, to be able to do this for those we interact with, it is equally important to think about how you appreciate yourself.  Our mental health is being tested now more than ever. We need to create room in our mind and in our life to appreciate what we ARE doing so that we can experience the best life has to offer.  This 2019 Success Magazine article states it well, “if you want to appreciate yourself, you need to start with the way you talk to yourself, because your mindset determines how you experience life.”

Whether it is at work, in our home, or in our communities, especially in our ever-evolving virtual world, it is clear that we need to be intentional with expressing our appreciation for others.  Being detailed shows we’ve listened and being a little vulnerable ensures that what we express is seen as genuine.  When we appreciate those around us, there is an opportunity to fuel the fire of motivation within them and to build long-lasting, thriving cultures for everyone to be their best.

Mike is a 20–year Technology and Marketing leader who has worked with companies large and small to plan and deploy programs that drive impact.  As the VP of Consulting Services for Lions & Tigers, Mike pairs intuition and empathy for our clients with industry experience and best practices to offer valuable consulting and execution in a model that supports growth and development for everyone involved.