We all like to be appreciated and recognized for the good work we do and the things we accomplish. In fact, studies done at the corporate level hold "being appreciated" as more important to employees than salary and other working conditions.

When we give a compliment or recognize someone we are usually speaking about something the person has done.  E.g./ great job Suzie, good meeting Marg etc.

Most of us have become comfortable with giving recognition and remembering to say thank you.  Yay us! Giving recognition is good although it is often unmemorable and quickly forgotten. For an even greater positive impact, practice giving deep acknowledgment.

Acknowledgement goes one powerful step further. It goes beyond the person's action (what they have done) to recognize the qualities and characteristics of that person that allowed them to do what they did.  Acknowledgment recognizes who they are instead of just recognizing them for what they have done.  When you acknowledge, you hold up a mirror and say this is the person I see in you.  It is the deep desire of everyone to be seen, heard and understood and since acknowledgement goes much deeper than surface recognition, it has a more powerful impact on the person receiving it.  

To acknowledge using the examples above, we might say: "Great job Suzie! You really put your creativity and intelligence into the writing of this report"; or "Good meeting Marg! I really appreciated the way you kept the conversation productive with your calm and supportive presence".

Practicing deep acknowledgement on a daily basis has dramatic benefits in both a professional or personal setting. Often you make people aware of qualities that she might not have noticed or accepted before.  This new self-knowledge builds self-esteem and empowers her to keep learning growing and doing her best.  Acknowledgment can inspire, deepen connections, increase performance, open possibility, and bring joy. And heck, it feels just plain good inside!

Although at first it might feel awkward to give deep acknowledgment, keep at it. Experiment with your work colleagues, with your staff group, with your partner, friends and family.  Click here to download a worksheet with some practice scenarios for you to work through to get the hang of giving deep acknowledgment.

I encourage you to use the steps below to experience how the power of deep acknowledgment can transform people while they are still alive!  Why wait for the eulogy?

4 STEPS TO GIVING DEEP ACKNOWLEDGMENT

1/ Acknowledge the person for WHO they are

Identify qualities that enabled the person to do what she did: e.g./ patience, dedication, commitment, perseverance, caring, thoughtfulness, creativity, initiative, enthusiasm, wisdom, clear communication.

2/ Make it short and sweet

Keep your acknowledgment simple and to the point - a shorter statement has a greater impact and can often be more easily received.

3/ Be real 

Be honest and speak from the heart no matter how uncomfortable you may feel. The authenticity will deepen the impact. 

4/ Make sure the acknowledgment lands

It will most often be the inclination of the person to brush off your acknowledgment so you might have to restate it until you are sure the person hears what you have said. The person receiving the acknowledgment may be uncomfortable, that's ok, let them sit with it. Give acknowledgment freely, without expectation of a response.