A Little Bit of This Goes a Long Way

Have you ever walked into a busy restaurant and as the staff are zipping by, not one single person stops to greet you, assure you they'll be right with you, or connect with you in any way?

How does that scenario make you feel? Annoyed? Impatient? Frustrated?

Now, what if you walk into that same restaurant and the first person to see you says, "Hi folks, sorry we're quite busy but I'll be with you in just a few minutes - hang tight if you don't mind!"

How does that simple change of engagement in the same scenario make you feel? More understanding? A little more patient? More tolerant of the situation?

The psychological need to be seen and heard is not a new concept by any means, however, what is new in this virtual, face-paced world that we live in now is how we adapt to apply and acknowledge both our need to be acknowledged and the need of others to receive even basic acknowledgment.

It is often underestimated how far-reaching the basic act of acknowledging someone can go. The following are some simple ways to acknowledge others and what benefit they hold:

1. A warm greeting - a hello, a smile, a wave, a nod. These acts take mere seconds, but indicate to someone that you see them and value their presence. The very definition of acknowledgment is 'the recognition of the importance or quality of something.'
2. Acknowledging an email - when someone goes out of their way to connect with you in some capacity, it's important to acknowledge that their efforts have been recognized. Perhaps you're busy and can't respond right away, so a simple way to manage expectations and show respect is to let that person know that you've received their message and will be replying by *insert date here.*
3. A simple thank you - when someone submits their work to you, no matter in what position a simple thank you for getting the job done helps to increase the motivation for even the most mundane tasks. Studies show that when people know that the work they do is at the very least, appreciated and recognized, they will endure more boring tasks vs. when it is not acknowledged.
4. Reacting to someone's point in a meeting - whether in-person or virtually, we are always able to show that we've heard and either agree or have questions about someone else's contributions. It's not always easy for others to speak up in meetings and share their thoughts and opinions so when people do, please show that you're listening. This could be a nod in agreement, a smile or a laugh, a thumbs-up reaction, a question posed in the chat, etc., etc.
5. Asking how someone's day is going, and listening for the response - a quick check-in is a kindness extended by those who want to show care for their colleagues, team, clients, or friends/family. The important piece to note and where many miss the mark with this point is that you actually have to care about and listen for the answer. Checking in with someone, even if it's a stranger can completely turn their day around. Especially in circumstances where they may not receive heavy acknowledgment like the scenario provided above.

These 5 tips are easy to execute and take less than a minute. They are behaviours that we can train ourselves to work on and build positive habits. In doing so, we can:

• Develop rapport and trust with others faster
• Be more present in our interactions
• Become more intentional with our words and actions
• Motivate those around us
• Learn more about what motivates us

As leaders, it's imperative to reflect on how (method, mode, delivery, the vocabulary used, etc.) and how frequently (because you can also overdo it) you're acknowledging your team and being acknowledged yourself!

If you're not sure where to start, we'd love to jump on a complimentary catalyst call to get you pointed in the right direction!

In our hallmark S.P.A.R.K. Team Trainings, we uncover personal and collective motivations, identify easy-to-implement incentives and strengthen team bonds.

We'd love to hear stories of acknowledgment that you've experienced - the good, the bad, and the ugly! Feel free to comment with them below or email to [email protected] to share!