Give credit where it's due
THE COMMANDER-IN CHIEF (C-in-C) and his wife were coming to the station for their annual visit. The flying squadrons, the signals units and the various lodger units were all deputed tasks so that everything could go off smoothly. That was for the officers; the wives were briefed to take care of the activities of the Ladies Club the senior lady was scheduled to visit.
All went well till the senior lady praised the food as excellent. The lady who was in charge of the food, lapped up the praise and, very deprecatingly, said, "Oh yes, it was a lot of hard work, but then if you have liked it, it has all been worthwhile."
All the ladies of her squadron were milling around her, waiting to hear a word of praise or appreciation coming their way. I knew they had been up all night baking the cakes, doing the icing, the fancy sandwiches and the triple layered barfis, etc. Everything had been made at home. Yet, not one word was said about the teamwork, not one word about the hard work the girls had put into the whole effort.
When the party broke up, everyone went home to come back later in the evening for dinner with the gentlemen. In small groups, the ladies kept discussing how one person had taken all the praise and had not even thanked them or appreciated their work. They were all very upset and many swore they would beg off the next time such an event were to take place.
Why give credit?
The above scenario is from real life on an Air Force Station, somewhere in the middle of nowhere, where entire lives are lived out far away from the mainstream. The little opportunities where women get to display their talents are very special. It gives them a chance to be appreciated. And, who does not want appreciation?
In an office or any other scenario, if a person or a group of persons have worked with you on any project or even helped you in any small way, the only thing they want in return is appreciation and due credits.
Such an appreciation from a peer or a senior works wonders for the self-esteem. It makes you want to do it all over again and again, even though you may get no monetary benefit out of it.
Some people believe that a little gift should make up for the spoken word. But, to be very honest, materiel goods cannot make up for the words of appreciation.
Appreciation for good work can be done on the spot, in front of peers. Timely appreciation has no other match - with those few words, you make the person feel `nine feet tall'. You do wonders for his self-confidence and his ability to stretch his potential to the limit. For you, he will bend over backwards to get those words of praise and encouragement all over again. Even if you as his mentor are nowhere around and his circumstances change, he will remember the good feeling and he will do his best in a similar situation. So, effectively you have set off a chain reaction - he becomes a better worker, more focused and more energetic. He may never admit it, but underlying this dynamism will be the need for appreciation.
It will be subtle, but will be there always under the surface. If a sensitive and understanding boss can tap this potential by a few kind words, he has a dynamo on his hands!
Let's face it, people of all ages - from five to ninety five - all look for appreciation because it makes them feel loved and wanted. It helps the mind to grow and blossom!
SHYAMOLA KHANNA
faqs@cnkonline.com
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