Many people believe that to be an effective leader, it is important to be very tough, perhaps even ruthless. Having grown up hearing things like, 'survival of the toughest', 'dog eat dog world', 'the buck stops here' and other such references suggesting toughness; people often forget the importance of being compassionate and having gratitude. The fact of the matter is that even though it is important to, at times, to be a tough leader, it is equally important to be a caring one. 

Leadership is not just about making tough decisions nor having the tough conversations. There are times when you have to feel with your heart and act accordingly. Take a moment to ask - What am I grateful for? Who do I appreciate?

Leaders have many occasions to show their caring side, especially in a corporate environment, you just need to be able to recognize the opportunity. Being grateful and showing appreciation towards the work done by your employees, peers and those you report to, you can increase their trust and loyalty towards you, thus enhancing your leadership power. A few simple words of appreciation can make a huge difference in someone's day. 

Just as it is not always easy to tell people when they are wrong or when they have made any mistakes, it is not always easy to find the right words to acknowledge a job well done. Being sincere and providing clear examples of the behavior or the result of something done well is critical to providing positive feedback and appreciation. Being appreciated for a contribution is something that everyone looks for. In order to offer appreciation to others well, I believe you must also learn to appreciate your own contribution. And, be grateful for all that you have. 

To learn how you can effectively recognize an opportunity for giving appreciation and finding the right words, start with yourself. Everyday take a few moments and write down what you are grateful for. To do this take a blank sheet of paper and at the top write - What I am grateful for today is..  And then write down all that comes to mind. Do not censor your thoughts, just write it down. I find this to be an amazing process especially when I feel overwhelmed. This simple process of writing down what I am grateful for brings me back to a profound sense of peace and thankfulness. Having words describing what you are grateful for, feeling this sense of peace, makes it easier then to offer kind, sincere words to others. You know how good they may feel when you offer your appreciation as you have already experienced it yourself.  

Only by knowing what and who you are grateful for, will you gain more strength in acknowledging other people and truly empowering others. Be Grateful and Unleash Your Leadership Power!

                                                                         Respectfully,
 

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