Leadership coach Darcy Eikenberg, whose clients include The Coca-Cola Company, Microsoft, and Deloitte, discourages leaders from saving their appreciation until a project’s completion, and I agree. Appreciation is valuable at any stage and can inspire further commitment. “Sometimes, we struggle to acknowledge and appreciate others on our team because the goal isn’t complete or isn’t yet successful,” Darcy told me. “But it’s the right effort that gets the right results. Recognizing the steps your team takes toward those results can be very powerful and affirming — even if they haven’t met their ultimate goal yet.” The best evidence of the value of meaningful thanks happens at weddings, not workplaces. Visualize two wedding toasts — one merely saying, “Phil and Alice make a great couple,” and the other telling a story about Phil and Alice’s courtship that reveals their quirky personalities and illustrates their compatibility. Which toast will be remembered and admired? The one that used details to convey a specific point of appreciation. Your “toast” should resonate with your team the same way. Joel Schwartzberg is an award-winning leadership communications coach and author of Get to the Point! Sharpen Your Message and Make Your Words Matter. If you’re conveying general appreciation to many people at once — during a holiday event or organizational milestone, for example — don’t call out specific teams or people at the risk of neglecting others. The sting of being left out can cause more damage than what the glow of recognition can deliver. At the same time, avoid very long, all-inclusive lists of appreciated people and departments that will cause many in your audience to tune out. If you can’t call out specific people or teams without omitting others equally deserving of recognition, speak of the qualities and values they share. For example: “Though many people and teams around the company contributed significantly to our success — too many to mention here — what unites all of you is a love for what we do and a relentless commitment to our goals. I appreciate and thank you all.” n 2 DON’T SITON YOUR SUPPORT 3 TRY “THE WEDDING TEST” 4 THANK EVERYONE WITHOUT EXCLUDING OTHERS
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