Learn to Appreciate the Contributions of Others

We are all very different. Some are smart, some are weak, some can communicate better, some are tenacious and sagacious, some look better than others, some struggle their hardest to focus enough to get menial work accomplished, and the list goes on and on.. But one of the beauties of the workplace is how these differences can mesh together in bringing about productive and successful outcomes.

One of the challenges however, is learning to recognize and appreciate the efforts of others. Typically people tend to look out of the same glasses they have always used and fail to notice the unique contribution each individual offers in the context of how that effort fits nicely together with all of the other actions of others. Or, people don’t believe the value someone is giving is of much worth, and immediately disregard or diminish it all together.

Every action requires energy and thought. Most people that I know try to do good work in what they take time to do. That effort loves to be recognized no matter how small or large it is. Therefore every person that contributes to a meaningful cause should be appreciated. Why? Because they actually showed up and tried, and in many cases, tried their best given their current circumstances. I can’t even begin to imagine how many small but influential contributions are overlooked on a daily basis in the world around us. Should they?

Let me give you a small personal example to illustrate:

The past couple years, every time I walked into my local Walmart, there stood an older gentleman that would greet me with a smile and an obvious awkward speech problem. He would always slightly approach me, try to make eye contact, and joyfully say, “hello, welcome to Walmart!” The first few times I experienced this, I would unfortunately just put my head down and try to rush past him. After all, he seemed a bit strange and I could barely make out what he was mumbling to me.

Well, after turning back one day, I watched him, observed his character and effort. I quickly realized this was a genuinely nice man who was doing his very best to make others feel welcome despite the personal challenges he faced. I also observed that about 95% of the people walking by acted like he wasn’t even there. From that day on, whenever I walked into Walmart and he happened to be there, I would stop, look him in the eye, and say “hello Lee,” or “great to see you today Lee!” His reaction to me was always priceless. Lee was always visibly surprised that someone cared to recognize him. Sadly, I saw his name in the obituary yesterday, and a flood of thoughts came..

How many “Lee’s” are there in our workplaces or in our communities? There are individuals with powerful intellects and “subpar” capabilities all around us that fail to be noticed for their contributions. We all neatly fit into a complex business ecosystem but most the time, only the top dogs or “the company” receives the credit.

I especially like the quote:

“A person who feels appreciated will always do more than what is expected”

In my professional experience, I have observed that when I remember to appreciate the unique talents and efforts that others bring to the table, my own efforts seem to be magnified as well. I realize that in the big scheme of things, it isn’t so much the earth rattling impact that our actions lead to, but the small and simple, but meaningful and influential contributions one gives along the way. Through these types of glasses, life is no longer viewed as a perpetual field of competition and comparison, but one of clarity, understanding, and appreciation.

About the Author – Chad Gundry has spent several years in sales and marketing positions and has accumulated extensive insight that can assist in constructing transformational business strategies and living life more productively. He is not a “writer”, but enjoys sharing his views on a variety of subjects. Views posted here are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Rakuten Marketing.