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Remember to Acknowledge

May 29, 2002

"You can acknowledge others in many ways.  When someone calls you, acknowledge the call.  When they send you something, remember to say thank you, or take the time to write a note.  When someone does a good job, say so.  When they apologize, acknowledge that too.  It's especially important to acknowledge acts of kindness - doing so reinforces the act and encourages more of the same.  We all benefit.

Almost everyone loves to be acknowledged.  We love to have our phone calls returned, to be told we are doing a great job, to be thanked for working so hard, to have our creativity appreciated, to be reminded that we are special.

People remember acknowledgement and they appreciate it.  When you need a favor, or advice, the fact that you have previously taken the time to acknowledge someone often comes back to help you.  It makes others want to help you and to see you succeed.  Also, people who have been acknowledged genuinely and with love are very forgiving.  They will see beyond your mistakes and failures and forgive you freely.  Needless to say, all of this makes your life easier and far less stressful.  So think about it.  Does someone in your work life deserve some sort of acknowledgment?  Is so what's holding you up (Carlson, 1998, pp.44-45)?"

Reference:  Carlson, R. (1998).  Don't sweat the small stuff at work: Simple ways to minimize stress and conflict while bringing out the best in yourself and others.  New York: Hyperion.

Do you remember to acknowledge others?

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff at Work is available on loan from the OSU Leadership Center.  A complete listing of all the Leadership Center's resources is available on our website http://leadershipcenter.osu.edu/

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Created: 2008-12-13, Updated: 2009-01-07