2. Appreciation is a skill

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

William Arthur Ward

Lately, I have realized appreciating someone is such a valuable and underrated skill that I wish someone taught me earlier. It should be taught in schools. It’s the path of making strong relationships and becoming a great leader. 

Back in 2017, I was attending a startup event in Bangalore. Suddenly, a person came to me and confirmed if I was Abhinav Mittal. I nodded, slightly surprised. He then told me how much he was impressed by my startup pitch that I did for Travel Jar in 2016 in Delhi, and that he really loved the idea behind it. 

Even though Travel Jar was a failure and completely shut, this guy’s appreciation gave me great happiness and partial satisfaction for my work. 

Interestingly, he might not even remember this incident, but I would remember him for a long time. That is the true impact of appreciation. You can literally own a person.

And guess what it is totally free!

For almost a year, I have been trying to be more appreciative of others and even though, I am not doing it enough, I love the impact it has created.

Here are my 2 cents on how to do it properly?

• Do it right away: Initially, I would wait for the right time, but it would end up being forgotten. Now I prefer telling them then & there or sending a quick WhatsApp/text or sometimes even emails.
• Keep it genuine: I tried faking it a few times, to be honest. But I couldn’t see a long-term impact. Plus it takes an effort to find something to appreciate. 
• Need not to be something big: I have appreciated people in my office when I see them joining meetings on time continuously.

Think of the last time when someone appreciated you. Verbally or even on social media. How good you felt. You can give the same feeling to others. As a leader, this is a great tool. Appreciating someone pushes them to keep doing it, more and more.

So appreciate someone today.

Have great holidays and Merry Christmas!