TIP 2 Unless you tap into this underappreciated power you’ll never get the inspired results your after
Have you ever felt exhausted after an argument?
When your energy is low you’re NOT effectively pursuing your goals which means you are not likely to get the results that matter most to you.
My conflict was between me and Shukoor, my Public Relations Officer. We were having another late night argument. He was standing in front of me covered in sweat and almost in tears. “I’m doing the best I can and you’re always so busy, he said with frustration.”
“Yes but you always come to me at the last minute, when things spin out of hand. Shukoor let’s talk tomorrow. ‘As I drove home listening to music, I reflected on the situation. It was clear that my entire team were affected by what was occurring between Shukoor and I. They were all feeling flat. Then I recalled a phrase I once heard from a friend; You’ll never achieve what’s most important without being grateful for the people around you.
The next morning, Shukoor was acting as my camera man. I was speaking to a company on team building, ironically enough. As I looked into the audience and at Shukoor standing behind the camera I realized that this was an opportunity to share a story that would help me connect with everyone in the room.
Ladies and gentleman, a few weeks ago a patient called me and said; ‘Thank you for saving my life.’
I think you need to be thanking your surgeon.
Well you made the referral which made the surgery possible so thank you. I was touched, but the truth is his life was saved not because of me and maybe not even because of the surgeon.
It was because of my camera man, Shukoor. The flyers you delivered to the Hilton Hotel was how the patient found us in the first place. I looked straight into the camera and said Shukoor, thank you for helping to save a life. He continued filming as a tear trickled down his cheek. ‘He couldn’t speak but he nodded as if to say thanks.’ The audience was moved but not nearly as I was. What was most fascinating was that even though the rest of my team wasn’t with Shukoor and I, this experience shifted the energy of each and every team member and was part of the reason why we had our best year ever. Not just in terms of the tangibles but also the intangibles. The team I’m part of like, all teams and all families is built upon a foundation of relationships. Remove appreciation and relationships depreciate like a rusted car. Add appreciation however and talents come alive, low & slow energies turn to hi and fast synergy.
Most people get grateful for others only after they’re gone. Consider today and everyday sending a thank you to someone who you haven’t appreciated in a while or better yet to someone you have never thanked before. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain and don’t worry no one has ever died from giving or receiving thanks.
I’m convinced that the most underappreciated power to transform people, teams and results is the power of appreciation.