Becoming a Force for Appreciation

Consider the possibility that being in the world from a place of appreciation could be a new form of social activism that would powerfully transform our world, one conversation at a time. Try on what it would feel like to initiate each of your conversations from a place of appreciation. Imagine how you would feel as you moved through your day actively looking for opportunities to express your appreciation to others. Consider creating a world where each of us took a leadership role in facilitating Appreciation Conversations in each of our conversations.

WHAT IS AN APPRECIATION CONVERSATION?

An Appreciation Conversation is about leadership – specifically, each of us becoming a transformational leader in our lives and the lives of others. Through your participation in  Appreciation Conversations, this transformation will take place easily and organically through ordinary every day communications  – Appreciation Conversations.  Your Appreciation Conversations can occur in any area of your life: at work, at home, social networking, at the grocery store, in your neighborhood or any place where you have the opportunity to interact informally or formally with another. After you have experienced the magic of participating in these types of conversations, your leadership will take the form of inviting others in your life to benefit from participating in Appreciation Converations in their lives.

Appreciation is an authentic sense of gratitude for the concrete and specific ways in which we are supported by others. An Appreciation Conversation is an expression of gratitude, for something that someone has done for you or for how they are being in the world. It can be a brief exchange with a stranger, friend, family member or co-worker, or a longer conversation – ten seconds or ten minutes or more. Any verbal exchange or even an email exchange where you actively express your appreciation is an Appreciation Conversation. Although face to face conversations provide us with instant feedback, as we all so increasingly connected via technology, we can intentionally use our email and social media interactions as a means to express our appreciation. I have Appreciation Conversations with individuals at the local library, the grocery store, retail stores, family members, friends, etc. The conversations range from “thank you for being so helpful today” to “your smile made my day” to “I am so grateful that you are in my life” to “I really appreciate your thoughtfulness.”

You can make a difference in the world through each of your conversations and you already have all the skills you need right now. Your commitment to being a transformational leader in your own life and the lives of others starts right now - through your participation in Appreciation Conversations. The world needs each of us to be a leader in Transformational Communication and Appreciation. As Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert so eloquently stated: "You don’t have to be a person of influence to be influential."

 Have fun with your Appreciation Conversations and enjoy the magic that will unfold in your life and the lives of others!

 Janet