One of my favorite bloggers, “Life Beyond Code” just posted an inspirational column profiling three people to several thousand subscribers around the world. You can see it by clicking here.
Did you see anyone familiar?
I was beside myself with joy!!
Why?
Because Rajesh Setty, author of “Life Beyond Code” (a must read even if you’re not in the information technology business), did something so profound, so simple that caused a ripple effect.
You see, Rajesh knows the secret of dealing with others. He just gave 3 people the greatest gift in the world and it didn’t cost him a cent.
What did he do?
He satisfied a very basic human need. He gave 3 people recognition for their accomplishments. According to Dale Carnegie, recognizing other people is the secret to making friends and influencing others. And Rajesh knows exactly how to do that!
Abraham Lincoln once said “everybody likes a compliment.” The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated. Dale Carnegie said “the desire for feeling of importance is one of the chief distinquishing differences between mankind and animals.”
Good leaders know how to offer encouragement and appreciation to people that work for them. The leader who knows how to satisfy other people’s hunger for recognition will hold the world in the palm of his/her hand. There’s a wonderful chapter in Carnegie’s book entitled ”He Who Can Do This Has the Whole World with Him. He Who Cannot Walks a Lonely Way.”
Translation: If you can find a way to recognize people for their strengths and show them appreciation, you will have many friends and followers. If you cannot, you will be alone – so very alone.
Rajesh has just become another individual in my life who I chose to REMEMBER who helped me along the way just by mentioning my name in his influential blogger!
Thank you Rajesh, I am deeply grateful for your gift of recognition!
Food for thought: Think about it. Who do you think will rally around and give you support in times of adversity? People you appreciate and recognize or people you ignore?
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9:42 am on January 14th, 2009 1
As you choose to encourage and uplift others, you are also unconsciously doing the same thing for yourself. You may have heard the phrase, “do unto others as you would have done unto you.” This alludes to to Luke vi. 31 (AV) As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. Wise words with infinite teaching value especially for those who choose to raise awareness of the practical side.
3:08 pm on January 14th, 2009 2
@ Liara Covert:
That’s right, that’s why I write when I’m inspired to. When I give other people advice whether verbally or through my writings, I am in essence coaching myself!
Somehow I’ve been assigned the task of raising awareness because it seems to be an integral part of who I am. I’m still trying to assimilate this into my presentations in a way that feels good, is coherent and flows nicely. I’m still working on it!
10:44 pm on January 24th, 2009 3
Stephen, in essence, every human being is learning the value of coaching themselves. Not everyone has uplifting thoughts and feelings echoing inside them all the time. Some people have yet to rediscover the sensations of love and compassion. That is where feel-good examples can be extremely helpful. They empower people to remember what they forgot about their own lives, potential and love. None of these tidbits of iner wisdom are ever gone forever. They wait patiently for a re-awakening on new levels of self-awareness.
7:04 am on January 25th, 2009 4
@ Liara Covert:
I’ve discovered that when I write, I’m in essence coaching myself! What I share isn’t just for pubic consumption – it’s for me too. There’s something about pouring out the words that I find healing, eye opening and a learning process. So it’s a win-win situation for all.