SHARE YOUR APPRECIATION

Several weeks ago I was the opening keynote speaker for the Joint Commission in Illinois, which is a regulatory association in the Healthcare Industry. I had a wonderful experience, thanks in good part to the meeting planner who was so efficient in caring for all the details.

I spoke on “Spreading Contagious Enthusiasm™ — Creating Workplaces of Passion, Purpose, and Productivity,” and in that presentation I use the acronym “CARE” as the elements of a joyful, fully engaged workplace:

C= Creative Communication
A = Atmosphere and Appreciation for All
R = Respect and Reason for Being
E = Empathy and Enthusiasm

I also use the metaphor of “sending” a “CARE Package” when we make a human level connection with someone. In Adult Learning theory, both the acronym and the metaphor are called “Anchors” to help internalize the learning.

When I returned home from this engagement, as usual I sent the meeting planner a thank you note and a lovely, small, handblown ceramic package as a memory of the “CARE Package” theme.

Yesterday, I received this note from her:

Dear Barbara,

Sincerely,
Susan

We never know when a little appreciation can deeply impact a life. And guess what – this organization has already booked me to speak at their conference next year!

To learn more about Barbara’s work, go to www.barbaraglanz.com/programs.

My daughter, Gretchen, has been a “stay-at-home” Mom for nearly six years. Recently, for financial reasons, she decided she needed to get a part time job in the evenings. I suggested to her that she make a list of all the places she thought it would be fun to work. One of them was Ikea, the new rage, especially with young people, for furniture and household goods.

She sent in her resume’ since they had just recently opened a new store in Portland, Oregon, where they live, and two weeks ago she was called for an interview, the first one she has had in six years since graduating from college.

After it was over, I called her to see how it had gone. She said, “Mom, it did not go very well. I did develop a good relationship with the person who interviewed me, but I did not do well in expressing my skills.” (At that point, I felt terrible because I had neglected to coach her on interview skills and do some role playing with her since she had not done this for such a long time.)

“Well,” I told her, “Regard it as a learning experience and now you’ll be better prepared for the next time.” Then I suggested she send them a thank you note and a copy of my book, “The Simple Truths of Service Inspired by Johnny the Bagger®.” Since the unemployment rate in Portland is the highest in the nation, just getting an interview was a gift, I told her, so this was a way for her to demonstrate her gratitude.

Just a few days later, she got a call to come into the store that very afternoon, and guess what? She GOT the job! The person who had interviewed her told her that in four years of hiring for this new store, she was only the SECOND person who had ever written a “thank you” note, and she was very impressed. Gretchen thinks that is one of the main reasons she got the job.

What a lesson for all of us! It is little things that make a huge difference, and one of the easiest and best ways to differentiate yourself is to become a more grateful person and then to SHOW it. We are all celebrating Gretchen’s success!

For more ideas on ways to become a more appreciative person, get Barbara’s book, “The Simple Truths of Appreciation – How Each of Us Can Choose to Make a Difference, “ www.barbaraglanz.com/products/books/