How many times have you flipped up your right hand, digits outstretched to another’s 5 fingers, and shouted, “High 5!”?
How many ever say anything more after that than, “Good job!”
I was talking with my daughter’s godmother, who is someone I have collaborated with in years past, and who is a member of my Personal Advisory Board. Melissa is wonderful at acknowledging other people’s qualities and accomplishments. We were talking about how the state of the world could be much improved when people take the time to appreciate one another. I was telling her that while my work with organizations includes creating a Culture of Appreciation©, I wanted to do something to touch more lives than just the people I meet with in person or by phone.
That is the genesis of High 5, a day where we make time to reflect on values and qualities that are important to being a responsible and inspiring citizen on Planet Earth, and acknowledge others for helping us to become a more inspiring person.
How often do we pause to acknowledge and appreciate one another? When was the last time you told a fellow co-worker or boss that something they did or said made a difference to you? What did you do or say to let them know how much you value and appreciate them? Have you ever thanked them for the specific thing they did with you or to support you? Today, did you stop to tell a member of your family what it is about them that touches you, or what quality you see in your child or parent that inspires you? What about the difficult people in your life? What have they taught you?
Real appreciation comes from the heart. It is offered as a gift, not because the person doing the acknowledging wants something in return.
Even in the best of times, people appreciate being appreciated. In hard times, the world and all the people living in it need more lift. Let’s start with us.
I’ve declared December 5 High 5 Appreciation Day.
Here’s how you can participate:
On December 5
• Call 5 executives or managers in your place of work and tell them specifically how they have made a difference in your life or work
If you are a consultant or coach, call or email 5 consultant/coach colleagues to appreciate them
• Post acknowledgments on 5 coworker’s member pages on LinkedIn. or your organization’s blog, if there is one
If you are a consultant or coach, post a positive comment on 5 consultant’s or coach’s LinkedIn page
• Tell each member of your family what you love about them (it can’t be that they take out the trash or wash the dishes)
• Call or email 5 friends and tell them what you appreciate about your friendship
• Call or write 5 people with whom you have been experiencing difficulty, e.g., disagreement, resentment, jealousy, frustration, anger, or hurt, and tell them 5 things you appreciate about them
When you’re done, post a comment on this blog and share your thoughts about what this experience meant to you. Let us know what response, if any, the other person gave you.
We’ll celebrate the upwelling of good feelings together!
Warm regards,
Barbara
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P.S. If you’re struggling to figure out with what to say, call me at 510-233-0580 for some free coaching on High 5 – The Power of Appreciation If you get my voicemail, I may be calling you to appreciate you. Leave a message with your name, number and email, and the gist of what you are struggling with, and I’ll get in touch with you!
Read this short article in Fast Company Leading Ideas
Read the Power of Acknowledgment by Judy Umlas
