I recently was the opening keynote speaker for the Joint Commission, a regulatory body in the healthcare industry. My topic was “Spreading Contagious Enthusiasm — Creating Workplaces of Passion, Purpose, and Productivity.” In this presentation, I use the acronym “CARE” as the elements of a spirited, fully engaged workplace:
C = Creative Communication
A = Atmosphere and Appreciation for All
R – Respect and Reason for Being
E = Empathy and Enthusiasm
After I finished speaking, an audience member handed me this handwritten note on a hotel pad:
Barbara,
I was just reading the first few pages of your book, “The Simple Truths of Appreciation,” and I remembered yesterday I praised the lady cleaning the flowers at the Hyatt, and she BEAMED! It was beautiful to see what she was doing — miles of plants, miles!–and she was cleaning each leaf and making them glow and watering them carefully. I actually noticed the good job she was doing. It made me feel good all day to have given that compliment!
Thanks for signing my book. I am working to be better at appreciation and to be less critical. I have taken time to write my favorite teacher a thank you. Like your story about the teacher, it was life changing for both of us. She is 90 now and I still write her and I still love her.
Thanks for the work you do to teach us HOW to appreciate and how it can change our lives. I don’t know you, but I already love you!
What an affirmation for my work but more importantly for the difference each of us can make every day!
If you would like to order a copy of “The Simple Truths of Appreciation,” go to www.barbaraglanz.com/products/books/.
