The Power of Acknowledgements

I have been thinking about the power of acknowledgement and how many opportunities we have to use it on a day-to-day basis both in our personal and professional life. We often choose to focus on what is missing in someone. When you consciously choose to look for the good in others, you find it. Acknowledging someone is not only noticing the good in them but also telling them.

An acknowledgement takes giving thanks to a deeper level. It is transformational in that it shines a bright light on the goodness in others by articulating your deep knowing of them. It addresses the individual and focuses on their character and who they truly are.

Acknowledgements should be positive, specific and sincere. Don’t use generic superlatives like “Mary you are great”, or “Mary you did a good job on that project”. Instead you could say, “Mary, you are committed and courageous”. Once you have acknowledged someone be quiet and then just witness that person taking it in. When we are acknowledged we come alive, we feel energized, validated, and recognized.

Today notice the good things in the people around you and when you notice it take action, tell them honestly what you notice that is so good in them. This can be done via a phone call, face to face, or a note. Commit to making this a daily practice and then notice any changes in your relationships.

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