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The Powerful Impact of Acknowledgements

עברית  ערבית 

 With the Holidays and the New Year at our doorsteps, I’d like to use this opportunity to talk to you about the powerful impact of acknowledgments and appreciation in both personal and professional relationships.

In one of the workshops I delivered at Afifi Group over the past summer, we discussed toxic communication skills and their effect on our professional and personal relationships. We learned about the different toxic communication styles, how they show up in our relationships, and how we can neutralize them to improve and increase positivity. We also talked about the value of growing positivity in relationships and our environments and how that helps create healthy relationships and improve performance at work.

One skill that I would like to share with you from that workshop is acknowledging and appreciating others. Being able to appreciate the good in others, genuinely notice their efforts, character, and good qualities, and then share that with them will make that person feel seen and valued. When practiced often, it can substantially positively impact others and increase positivity in that relationship.

When employees, both managers, and colleagues alike, practice this skill and use it, it lifts morale, makes people feel valued, and motivates them to do better at work. It’s also an excellent skill to use in team-building exercises.

Relationships, in general, require attention, care, and nurturing. The question of “how we can do better and be better in relationships?” is a question we all struggle with from time to time. Lack of communication, misunderstandings, assumptions, negative and toxic communication often get in the way. Over time, whether it’s a professional or a personal relationship, it becomes harder and harder to see past these negative experiences to recognize the good in each other.

We all have examples of such relationships in our lives where we seem to have a hard time noticing the good in the other person or the relationship. This usually happens when many disappointments or misunderstandings occur and do not get discussed or resolved immediately. Over time the issues build up, and it becomes harder for us to see past the negative.

We can help bring back positivity into such relationships by recognizing and noticing the good in the other person, their actions and character, and then acknowledging it. Notice the impact of your words on that person:
• How did it affect them? How did they react to hearing your words?
• What impact does practicing this skill have on the relationship over time?
And do you notice any difference in how you view this person and the relationship?

The key when acknowledging someone is to mean what we say, not to give empty compliments or general “good job” praises. Instead to articulate what we have noticed and what we see in the other person. For example, we can say something like, “Thank you for your hard work on this project. I appreciate your dedication to your work and this team,” or “I noticed that you value honesty and integrity, and it shows in your work.”

The more you practice this skill, the bigger its impact on your relationships and your life. With time you might start noticing other people reciprocating and showing their acknowledgment and appreciation back to you and others, as well. This skill has a positive ripple effect that can truly make a difference for the better in our lives.

During this time of the year, many of us find ourselves reflecting on our lives, looking back at what we’ve accomplished, looking at our successes, mistakes, and maybe even some regrets. We also use this time to look forward and get excited over new goals, new beginnings, and new opportunities to improve our lives and experiences. So, what better way to end the year than to express our acknowledgments and appreciation to the important people in our lives, letting them know that they are seen, appreciated, and valued.

I wish you all a wonderful and joyful new year full of endless opportunities to learn and grow. Happy New Year!

Rasha Afifi-Talleh
Professional Coach CPCC, ACC, INHC