Note from Mary...
Through my travels I've discovered - and therefore believe - that those who hold Leadership positions rarely receive Acknowledgment, possibly because we think they don't need it! Maybe we see them as incredibly competent and capable in what they do, so why tell them... right?
I feel very strongly that the world would be a much easier - kinder - place to live, if we all got to experience the power of acknowledgment: knowing that we matter and that we just did something that made a positive difference in someone's life.
The other day, I headed out early morning to Walmart to pick up a prescription. While waiting for my order to be filled, I went back to the restroom area where I heard a lot of cheering going on. It sounded like a pep rally, and everyone was pumped and ready to get to work.
A few minutes later, I ran into the leader of the group in the restroom, and as we were both heading out the door, I decided to reach out and acknowledge her. I introduced myself as an author and inspirational speaker and trainer, and that I was curious to know how often they do this kind of "firing up" the employees on their way out to the sales floor. She explained that they do it three times a day, every day, with each new shift coming on. We chatted for a few minutes about just how important it was to keep people motivated each and every day.
As we talked, I was aware that she was a little dumbfounded that I was even reaching out to have a conversation with her. As I praised and acknowledged her for what I had just observed her doing, she looked like a deer-in-the-headlights: not quite able to grasp my acknowledgment of her and the fine job she was doing.
As I expressed my observation that she appeared totally invested as a leader, I had another realization. While giving so much to others is a great reward in and of itself, it was possible that she was reaching for a way to receive and accept my compliments and praise.
Suddenly I remembered that I had several "I Make A Difference" wristbands on my wrist, so I pulled one off and asked her to accept my Acknowledgment of her and her outstanding leadership. Looking into her eyes I said, "You Make A Difference, and I want to acknowledge what an inspirational difference you are making each and every day!" Again, she looked at me with a stunned look on her face as if she was not used to being on the receiving end of things.
She accepted my gift and put it on her wrist. I then pulled out 3 more wristbands from my purse and handed them to her and said, "And now, I'd like you to accept these to acknowledge others in your life who are making a difference in your life..."
I've also learned to grabbed the moment and shared with her that if she wanted to make acknowledging others a regular thing, she could order her own wristbands from the website address imprinted on the inside of the wristband. She look inside, saw it and nodded to me. And with that, we parted company.
I looked back over my shoulder and I received an unexpected gift back as I saw her looking down at her wristband gently rubbing her fingers over the words on the wristband - "I Make A Difference" - as she walked away.
INSIGHT: We often take leaders for granted. Who do you know that you could acknowledge today?
It's the ordinary acts of giving that create extraordinary experiences in life.
Reaching out...
Co-Creator of the Acknowledgment Movie
makeadifference.com/Acknowledgment
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Mary Robinson Reynolds, M.S., Educational Psychologist, Author and Producer of the world renowned videos - 
