The Book of Feel Goods

The TA team was recently brainstorming gifts that we could give one another while being mindful of team sizes and budgets. My colleague Ashley Nelson-Parker suggested we show our appreciation, put it in digital book format, and call it “The Book of Feel Goods”. My first thought was “ok, that’s nice” but it wasn’t until I received my own Book of Feel Goods that I realized how meaningful appreciation is.??

Don’t get me wrong - I’d gladly accept a compliment! But prior to joining Slalom, it wasn’t something that I thought much about. I’d participate in recognizing my team members but wasn’t great at initiating the kudos.??

It wasn’t long into my time at Slalom that I saw how supportive this team was; encouraging one another on our goals or congratulating someone on hitting a milestone. So when it was suggested we compile our kind words, I figured it would be an extension of that.??

But this was different.??

It’s one thing to congratulate someone on a special accomplishment or a work anniversary. It’s a whole other thing to?let someone know they’re valued; that you appreciate the work they do, that you appreciate them. The book was a creative way to celebrate our team member’s personality traits and behavioral patterns that may not be addressed in individual compliments.??

Around the same time, a family member was given a terminal diagnosis and naturally he was flooded with messages of love and support. After the news had been circulated amongst family and friends, he commented on how he didn’t realize how loved he was.??

And you know what???

That made me mad!?

Mad that he didn’t already know how loved he is. Stories poured in and it was heartwarming to hear how he’s touched the life of everyone (truly, everyone) he’s met. How he went above and beyond being a stepdad;?embracing his role and becoming the father figure in his stepchildren’s lives, so much so that no one even uses the word “step”.?He’s just “dad” and “grandpa”. I was mad?that it took this horrible news for him to know that he’s an incredible man. Don’t get me wrong, he knows he’s loved, but he hadn’t realized the extent, until then.??

I can be pretty self-deprecating at times, and I honestly thought my manager Ashley Birong would have to make up content for my book. She may have and is just keeping quiet. If that’s the case, thanks for sparing me, Ash! All kidding aside, the words brought me to tears. It wasn’t until I had been sent my own Book of Feel Goods and read about how much my colleagues enjoy working with me that it sunk in: don’t wait to let someone know they’re valued. Don’t wait for bad news or for someone to get sick, don’t wait for a major accomplishment, or an overly commercialized holiday (sorry Cupid).?Do it in the moment! Reading my colleague’s words of gratitude and their appreciation of my mentorship and friendship made me feel loved.?

Our team’s Book of Feel Goods was free because it was digital but its impact was priceless. Sometimes we don’t know what we need until we receive it; I didn’t know that I needed those words until I read them. In anticipation of combing through my two little one’s Valentine’s cards (and candy) this evening, I’m reminded of this lesson. I’m committed to letting my family, friends, and colleagues know just how much I sincerely appreciate them - and not just on Valentine’s Day but throughout the year!?

So, to practice what I preach, THANK?YOU to Slalom and our Global Salesforce Recruiting Team for teaching me that invaluable life lesson. You truly are an incredible group of people and I’m so blessed to have ya’ll in my life!?

XOXO,

Lauren