A couple of months ago, I was confronted by a friend. Initially I was really taken back, even a bit upset. Here’s what happened…

I work hard, right? So does everyone around me! Our team is down-right amazing - hands down. But, having a stellar team does two *bad* things…

1. You get spoiled…start to think that’s just normal and expect it.

2. Sometimes, you even expect more (because you’re so used to it)…

I’ve always treated everyone around me with nothing but respect. Especially for my team, I give them everything they ever ask for, period. It’s a family and I am willing to make ANY sacrifice for my family.

We’re all so busy working and working and building our empire, that we’re always on the GO. Especially this year with all my travel, before one thing is done, I’m on to the next 5 things…

What Happens In All This?

I forget to take a minute to really appreciate and thank my team. No, it’s not enough to just “be there for them” - people are people. They need to hear that you DO see their effort.

Most “A players” don’t need to be told every day or even every month. But, in the end, EVERYONE has their points.

Bottom line is this. Consider it the BIGGEST flattery if someone is looking for appreciation from you. Mostly it means they really respect you and want to impress you!

But, if you go a long time without doing it - it can be the biggest de-motivation.

I found that this was the BIGGEST weakness in my style of leadership. I’m seriously working on it now and I can’t appreciate my friend enough for bringing it up.

It not only makes the person feel good - it makes ME feel good.

Try this:

EVERY DAY - Try appreciating someone. Anyone. Even the cashier at your lunch cafeteria. How about just saying…

“You know Sam…you’re always really pleasant…I appreciate you for that - thank you” or…

“Sam, you make a killer cheese sandwich man - just wanted to say, I really look forward to it everyday!”

Think about it - the last time someone said something nice to you - didn’t it make you feel great?

How would you feel if you can make at least one person feel that way every day?

It’s very powerful.

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“Thank you so much, you do such a great job, I wish I could do it this well…”

Sound a bit too mushy for you? Well, either way, try it. It can make a major impact on someone.

Yesterday night, around 9 PM my phone rang, it was my sister. I picked up and she said that my brother-in-law wanted to talk to me.

Some Back-story for you:

My sister is applying to medical residency programs and wanted me to edit her personal statements. I was cursed (I mean blessed ) with being a good writer. Funny thing because “writing” was the only thing I got a B in in high school (screwed up my 4.0 GPA).

Thanks to learning how to copywrite from Justin Ford, I do write very well now.

Anyways, I digress in self flattery…

She has two essays, one of them I had re-done and sent to her the night before. I was extremely tired when I edited it, it was NOT my best work, but still felt it was much better than the original draft.

My brother-in-law had called JUST to thank me. First of all, mind you, this favor was for my SISTER, not him. However, he said he was so incredibly impressed with my ability to write that he just had to call and say thanks (I’ve written things for them in the past as well, so he’s seen me at work in the past).

His exact words:

“Man…thank you so much…I just don’t get how you do these so well, it was amazing. Keep this up and you’re going to take over the world!”

(Obviously he got a bit exaggerated, I have no plans to try to take over the world).

The entire conversation lasted less than 2 minutes and I was glowing from ear to ear!

My sister had already thanked me. They weren’t telling me something I didn’t already know. Yet, him taking that extra step to make a phone call out of his way SPECIFICALLY to appreciate and acknowledge me went a long way for me.

Next time either of them needs a favor, I’ll be 10 times happier to do it for them versus someone else.

Lesson to take away - Take a minute every day or at least once a week and appreciate someone near you. Your wife, kids, co-worker, boss, kid’s teacher, employee, the local cross-guard - anyone, just do it.

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