The difference between being a leader, and leading

"Whatever else each of us derives from our work, there may be nothing more precious than the feeling that we truly matter — that we contribute unique value to the whole, and that we're recognized for it."

What a powerful statement. It's very simple, really. Most of the time, it's easier to push people for "more". Whether more is more time, more production, more sales, more contacts, more meetings, more coding, more traveling... More gets in the way of Appreciation, too often.

http://blogs.hbr.org/schwartz/2012/01/why-appreciation-matters-so-mu.html

by TonySchwartz

Points from Tony's blog:

•  "The single highest driver of engagement, according to a worldwide study conducted by Towers Watson, is whether or not workers feel their managers are genuinely interested in their well being. Less than 40 percent of workers felt so engaged."
• "Oddly, we're often more experienced at expressing negative emotions — re actively and defensively, and often without recognizing their corrosive impact on others until much later, if we do at all."
• "Feeling genuinely appreciated lifts people up. At the most basic level, it makes us feel safe, which is what frees us to do our best work. It's also energizing. When our value feels at risk, as it so often does, that worry becomes preoccupying, which drains and diverts our energy from creating value. "

This is why I'm incredibly passionate about company culture creation and preservation. Think about what you say, what you do and how you lead.. as if your grandmother were sitting on your shoulder watching your every move.

Would she be proud?

Someone reminded me on Twitter tonight about an old saying. What do you want people to say about you and remember you by at your funeral? Now, go do that. 

Simple, but perfect.