Happy Thanksgetting

You may be comfortable with giving thanks…

But are you comfortable with getting thanks?

“Thanksgetting” is what happens when we find ourselves on the receiving end of gratitude.

A few weeks ago I was kicking off a strategic planning meeting with a leadership team I’ve had the pleasure of working with when the CEO caught me off guard:

“Abby, before we start I would like to go around the table and tell each of you what I most appreciate about you, your contribution to our team, and your contribution to our business.”

I loved this idea!

Genuine, heartfelt praise is so meaningful and it is such a rarity.

One by one he went around the table, looked each person in the eye, and gave carefully selected heartfelt, genuine praise to each person in the room.

His words were given as individualized gifts.

That is exactly how we should greet appreciation given to us:

As gifts.

Wow! How powerful! The energy in the room increased as each person took in their praise and savored it.

There were nods around the table as each person acknowledged the truth in the strengths of their teammates.

As you gather around your Thanksgiving table today, pause…and be present.

Take it all in:

the smells…

the laughter…

maybe a bit of  inevitable family drama…

and the awareness of your unique value…and the gift you are to our world.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Would You Rather Be…or Become?

A calm sea does not make a skilled sailor. ~Unknown

Look back on the waters you’ve had to navigate to get where you are.

Surely, you've enjoyed smooth sailing at times.

Chances are you’ve also had to roll up your sleeves and depend on nothing but your business acumen and courage to avoid disaster.

Be honest. Which one made you feel more alive?

After 14 years with Procter & Gamble I decided to start my own company. Moving into uncharted territory required every ounce of  my courage and conviction.

Knowing that success or failure rested solely on my shoulders was both scary and exhilarating.  It was also the best training I have ever received . The skills I learned gave me the confidence I needed to  back my courage.

For me, calm waters are fine for a breather, and after a while I’m ready to take on the next challenge.

What about you? Before you answer, don’t get caught thinking:

• calm waters = good things are happening
• rough waters = bad things are happening

It’s a trap. The difference is based on whether the waters you choose to navigate challenge you.

Figure out if you are happiest maintaining the skills you have, or honing the new skills you want.

Once you know that, you at least know which way is North…

When is the last time you really felt alive?

Give Better Feedback

Enough with the 'attaboys'.

Help others know what they are good at with specific insight into what they do well.

Let your colleagues and friends know what talents bring exceptional value worth duplicating over and over.

Many people have no idea what they are good at.

Seriously!

Think about it... it’s rare that anyone truly tells us what our strengths are.

Sure, they say, ‘Good job Barry!’, and it's nice to hear...but what do we glean from that affirmation?

It’s just not clear.

Help them see the strengths you see.  Be on the lookout for the priceless qualities in others around you. Make it a habit.

Being able uncover greatness in others is a rare quality that will not go unnoticed.

So what does it look like when it’s done well?

It changes from:

“Good job Barry!”

to

“Barry, I was so impressed with the way you were able to quickly penetrate the specific challenges your client faced and build them a financial model that made it easy for them to make good decisions on a much faster timeline with a high degree of confidence. How empowering! ”

Who can you give better feedback to today?