The two year old grand son of my brother, did not even pronounce the words properly but hurriedly completed the rhyme, was himself clapping and egging on others around to "clap, clap" until everyone complied. The beaming child on hearing the applause all around him was a sight to behold. Without any further prompt, he sincerely proceeded to recite the next rhyme, anticipating a bigger round of applause !
My aging uncle also had this habit of recounting everything from his early days, like when Mylapore area was almost on the fringes of a forest and Adyar was unknown, there were boats plying in Cooum river with firewood etc., Seasoned people around him used to silently listen but if anyone asks for more details , his eyes will open wide and then there will be no stopping him.
Such is the power of appreciation, a tool of recognition from a child to the senior. Everyone wants to be appreciated, applauded, recognized and talked about. Only the performing artistes have no hesitation in accepting that they value the clap of the audience more than the material returns. Of course, there are sports persons who find an empty stand very dampening to play which perhaps is the reason for the greater popularity of cricket in India.
While I was on a business trip to U.S , after a presentation of our capabilities was made by my boss, I was very impressed and immediately shot an email to him, who was sitting at the other end of the horse-shoe table in the conference hall. This was done with all sincerity and meant as a genuine expression of my appreciation, but I was more surprised to get an acknowledgement within minutes, which was written 'thanks' all over.
In one of the organizations I served, the management was astute enough to conduct an "Appreciation day". On this day, people could obtain any number of 'Appreciation card' from the front office and were encouraged to send them to anyone in the organization whom they appreciate. It need not be from one's own team, it could be from Admin, HR, Help desk, support teams, your boss, your junior most team member or even the President of the organization. It was a treat to watch the good will flowing through the day and whoever came up with the idea need to be well appreciated.
Any unfortunate event, any bad exchange, any sour event could be turned with a single stroke of appreciation with a simple pat on the back. Hope this is also taught in management and training schools for the Managers of this era. In my opinion, this is the only activity in this world which warms the hearts of both the giver and receiver !
My aging uncle also had this habit of recounting everything from his early days, like when Mylapore area was almost on the fringes of a forest and Adyar was unknown, there were boats plying in Cooum river with firewood etc., Seasoned people around him used to silently listen but if anyone asks for more details , his eyes will open wide and then there will be no stopping him.
Such is the power of appreciation, a tool of recognition from a child to the senior. Everyone wants to be appreciated, applauded, recognized and talked about. Only the performing artistes have no hesitation in accepting that they value the clap of the audience more than the material returns. Of course, there are sports persons who find an empty stand very dampening to play which perhaps is the reason for the greater popularity of cricket in India.
While I was on a business trip to U.S , after a presentation of our capabilities was made by my boss, I was very impressed and immediately shot an email to him, who was sitting at the other end of the horse-shoe table in the conference hall. This was done with all sincerity and meant as a genuine expression of my appreciation, but I was more surprised to get an acknowledgement within minutes, which was written 'thanks' all over.
In one of the organizations I served, the management was astute enough to conduct an "Appreciation day". On this day, people could obtain any number of 'Appreciation card' from the front office and were encouraged to send them to anyone in the organization whom they appreciate. It need not be from one's own team, it could be from Admin, HR, Help desk, support teams, your boss, your junior most team member or even the President of the organization. It was a treat to watch the good will flowing through the day and whoever came up with the idea need to be well appreciated.
Any unfortunate event, any bad exchange, any sour event could be turned with a single stroke of appreciation with a simple pat on the back. Hope this is also taught in management and training schools for the Managers of this era. In my opinion, this is the only activity in this world which warms the hearts of both the giver and receiver !
Murugan posted "Nice article but I have some reservations on the efficacy of appreciation as a motivating factor for better performance. I feel that this "appreciation" is overdone. Kids expect to be appreciated even if they finish the contents on their plate, pass stools and what not! "good job" has become too commonplace. Appreciation should not give a false sense of superiority. You could have made a mention about the overkill effects of appreciation.
ReplyDeleteCouple of observations: "after a presentation of our capabilities were made by my boss" should be "after a presentation of our capabilities was made by my boss" - presentation was made not capabilities. (error of proximity - capabilities near the verb makes you write "were" instead of "was")
"any soar event" I think you meant "sour" right?
Your writing style is good and the contents are thought provoking. Please do carry on the good work!"
Thanks Murgs, for your constant feedback. I have made the corrections pointed out by you and noted your points too. The importance of 'review' ccould not have been more emphasized. Thanks again - Kapalee
ReplyDeleteNarayan posted "Nice article. Sadly few people in India understands this. Americans do it so well, our folks who land their first time really feel on cloud 9. I thought about your closing line and two more traits came to my mind which fit the bill - charity and mercy."
ReplyDeleteVery true Narayan. I should have phrased the sentence as "One of the activities in this world...". Thanks so much for the feedback
ReplyDeleteNeatly portrayed Sir :-) I feel appreciations should only motivate and increase the confidence level of an individual but not make him overconfident. Person should be as humble as he even he if receives billions of "pat on back". This is the thumb rule..!! :-)
ReplyDelete