Why my next and most important step will be Value

Sigh. As I enter my third full day on my non – working hiatus, I have made four batches of cookies, chocolate chip and sugar my favorite. I have started five different projects I promised myself I would get to when I had the time. I have talked to my core people who took the time to call, text or email to check in and say, “ How are you doing Angie?” I would be remiss not to say how incredibly blessed by my community and the heartfelt comments that were shared on Linked In. They truly brought tears and an overwhelming thankfulness every darn time I read them, laughing! (and I do not cry!). I am now finally starting to settle in and to think and pray about what I want next. It might seem early and obvious to most and not so early and not obvious to others. For me, its seem like it is time to remind myself what I genuinely want next, and I keep coming back to this one word over and over, value.

I am sure you are saying Angie, are you thinking in monetary terms, a lot of atta girls or atta boys! What do you mean by the word “value.” ?I think value may mean a lot of things to people, but I believe something that starts early and if you are fortunate with wonderful parents, single or married, to be ingrained in us. They build our self-confidence, our love tanks, and our self-worth. The remind us of the reason that we are so special not only to them but to others. Now not all have that experience I understand and that foundation, but many will gain in life by great friends and a community that feeds into helping and recognizing others. For me, that was family, friends, my church and ironically my golf game! Hmm, didn’t see that one coming, did you? ?

Yes! My golf game created a core value for my self-esteem in life. You see I was the only girl on the boys’ varsity golf team in high school. Both my mom and dad played, and we always enjoyed playing as a family. They would encourage me to practice until I thought I might be good or at least good enough to compete. ?I told those boys move over, this girl is coming to play, laughing! Honestly, the guys on the team were great, and we had six spots we fought for every week during tournament times. I would always strive for #1 but many times ended up between 2 and 4 which for me, was still an accomplishment. The moment I hit the ball, till I finished my round, my confidence was always high, and I felt valued, even when I lost, or the team lost. My coach, who to this day is one of my favorite people, did an excellent job of reminding us of our value, win or lose. It shaped my understanding during a time many struggle in their teen years with confidence, and still today, when I play in a mad scramble, I am reminded, that no matter how I play, I will feel valued. (If I get it off the tee regularly!)

Its critical in life that our coaches and leaders remind us often of our true value without so much of it being conditional. ?Why we are a unique part of the success of a team or an organization. I see some leaders that do it amazingly but more often these days, I see many who are so busy they forget to stop and recognize their people, and a quick thank you for all they are doing. So many times, we feel like that must be in some form of bonus, or trip or even a gift card, but really it can be a simple phone call, text, or email to say, “You are appreciated.” I also understand that everyone has different love languages, I get that, but I have met a lot of people in my life, and no one I can think of, every would turn down, a “Your amazing,” “We are lucky to have you!” “You knocked it out of the park!” and so on and so on.

With the world of private equity, and shareholder value, we forget the most important part of the value in a company is their “people”. A company’s people are the ones that make it unique and special and provide value to an organization. I have seen more talent in our industry recently be pushed aside for a strategy that will provide better margins, or ability to get to a goal quicker, only to find out later, what they utterly lost. Leaders need to slow down and start valuing their people and stop worrying about what they do not do right versus all the things they do and the value they bring. Your margins will improve, your morale will be better, and your culture will continue to thrive just by taking time to show how you value each of them and provide varied recognition, maybe just as simple as thank you for your contributions and more than at the once a year Christmas party.

Lastly and most important is that YOU must value yourself first and remind yourself when you are not feeling that, to find the place you will. Not always easy for sure, but truly what you deserve. Life is so darn short, and happiness comes from that value and trust that is gained when leaders recognize that you are the perfect piece to the puzzle needed for them to be successful. It’s not a gen x, y, or boomer’s thing for the need to feel appreciated, it truly is just a human thing. Value is what we deserve, and value is something you should never sacrifice for what you do or where you do it. Always remind yourself that there is only one you and that you are amazing.