“It is well to remember that the entire universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others.” John Andrew Holmes
By appreciating employees, we help them understand how what they do adds value to their organization. This one act helps people see beyond themselves – that isn’t a throw away line – seeing beyond one’s own self is critical to an organizations success. When people see beyond themselves, they appreciate one another, and they are more willing to trust, collaborate, and work together. It is this focus on others that differentiates you from the competition and specifically how your programs help create real value for your clients.
Albert Einstein made a great observation regarding human behavior when he said:
“A human being is a part of the whole, called by us the ‘universe’, a part limited in time and space. He (or she) experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest – a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security.
As Einstein suggested, “nobody is able to achieve this completely,” but our work encourages people to be “other focused” in a world that is anything but. Headlines shout about the abuses in organizations worldwide. The Wall Street Journal’s front page recently declared, “Companies Tap Pension Plans to Fund Executive Benefits.” Executives that secure big pay packages for themselves and then lay off thousands of employees don’t inspire much loyalty or confidence. Yet Delta Airlines was recently highlighted for just such an example. Why are we surprised when employees don’t feel like doing their best for the organization?
Goodwill is given and patience extended as people realize that their work is appreciated. As this happens, self-worth increases, confidence is built, and people start to look outwards instead of constantly worrying about personal attacks. Trust is nurtured and the culture encourages performance rather than creating fear and disengagement.
Let us heed Einstein’s invitation to “free ourselves from this [delusional] prison by widening our circle” and becoming Other Focused!
Since, as John Holmes reminds us, “the entire universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others.”
The world has been waiting for this kind of valuable work. It is absolutely true that appreciate creates cultures of trust and stability over the long-term. Thank you for leading the way. The world needs it.
warmly,
Annie