Giving Heartfelt, Impactful, and Lasting Appreciation and Recognition

Giving appreciations and recognition are important for building positive relationships, and for motivating and inspiring others. However, it’s not always easy to know how to give an appreciation or recognition in a way that is genuine, heartfelt, and meaningful. In this article, I’ll explore ways to make your appreciation and recognition heartfelt, lasting, and impactful with guidelines and examples. By following these guidelines, you can give an appreciation and recognition that will truly resonate with your receivers and leave a lasting impression.

Photo credit to Priscilla Du Preez

Have you ever given a “thank you” or a “good job!” to someone and felt that your receiver just brushed it aside or didn’t truly appreciate it? Surely, they appreciated the effort you gave to acknowledge and recognize them. However, with all the vague and quick “thank you”s & recognition that people receive, they can’t help sometimes but feel that some of these are either thoughtlessly given or just a knee-jerk response even if they aren’t.

So what can you do to make your receiver feel genuinely appreciated, recognized, encouraged, or supported when you say “thank you” or “good job!”? How can you make your “thank you” or a “good job” impactful and lasting? Let’s cut to the chase and go straight to examples.

Appreciation Examples

An appreciation

“Thanks!”

A good appreciation

“Thanks, Anna!”

A great appreciation

“Thanks, Anna! I appreciate your quick response.”

A lasting and impactful appreciation

“Thanks, Anna! I appreciate your quick response. Because of it, I was able to finish my report much earlier, and I did not have to rush like I usually do.”

Recognition Examples

A recognition …

“Good job!”

A good recognition …

“Good job, Kiko!”

A heartfelt recognition …

“Good job, Kiko! Your report was very educational and clearly presented.”

A heartfelt & impactful recognition …

“Good job, Kiko! Your report was very educational and clearly presented. You made it really easy for us to understand that complex project.”

So what makes appreciations and recognition heartfelt, impactful, and lasting?

1 — DIRECTING YOUR GRATITUDE & RECOGNITION

“Thank you, Anna!”

Nothing sounds so good than hearing one’s name called out. Directing your gratitude or recognition by mentioning their name packs a big punch to your receiver.

When you explicitly direct the sentiment to Anna by mentioning her name, it becomes very personal compared to a mere “thank you”. Even if it is obvious to whom you are giving your compliment to, doing this makes the appreciation feel more thoughtful.

By the way, this gesture is even more appreciated by your receiver when done verbally.

2 — STATING WHAT or WHY

“Thank you, Anna! I appreciate your quick response.”

By stating what or why you are thanking a person for makes your gratitude concrete, and feels more intentional.

Saying just “Thank you, Bella” or “Great job, Sophia!” is pretty abstract — you are letting your receiver form their own assumptions on why you said that. BUT, if you explicitly mention what they have done that was worth your compliment or praise, then you are giving them something real and concrete that they can grasp. To the receiver, they become more aware of themselves, and feel seen and recognized.

3 — SHARING THEIR IMPACT

“Thanks, Anna! I appreciate your quick response. Because of it, I was able to finish my report much earlier, and I did not have to rush like I usually do.”

The best part of an appreciation or recognition is when you share the effect or impact that their action made on you. By doing so, you bring out the biggest punch of your compliment - you empower & inspire your receiver.

Why does sharing the impact of their action or behavior make the receiver feel genuinely appreciated or recognized? By sharing how their action made a difference on you and others, your receiver will

a) realize they are capable of making a difference on others

b) know which of their action or behavior is impactful

What are pleasant big effects of doing this?

• Your receiver will genuinely appreciate you. They will see you as someone who sees them and acknowledges their presence.
• You reinforce their good behavior or action. This means your receiver will feel a sense of pride for their action or behavior, and will be motivated to continue practicing it.

Let’s Summarize

For your appreciations and recognition to become lasting and impactful:

1. Make it PERSONAL. Mention the person’s name (even if it’s obvious ).

2. Tell them WHAT or WHY. Make it real to your receiver — be very concrete and specific about what you’re appreciating or recognizing them for.

3. Share their IMPACT. Do not forget to share the impact that their action or behavior made on you or others. Did it enable you? Did it encourage you? Did it help you? Whatever it is, make an effort to mention it.

Try this now with your family, friend, children specially, colleague, employee, teacher, or even stranger. I guarantee you, you will make their day, and you will feel very good in return. And those words of kindness will LAST, and continue to make an IMPACT on them and others.

Thank you, dear readers. I appreciate you taking the time to read this article despite your busy lives. Your continued readership inspires me and motivates me to keep sharing my ideas and thoughts.