The Power of Celebration and Recognition

by Christine Harvey

What can we learn from female CEO’s? Since 1991, Julia Stewart has worked her way up to Chairman and CEO of the restaurant chain of IHOP. She remembers back to working for a previous company where she made it a habit to RECOGNIZE management trainees when they completed their training with a celebration and a small gift. On one occasion, an employee’s mother broke down in tears over this reward for her son. To her it was HOPE that her son would break out of their tough neighborhood, and move on to a better life.

When I read this, I thought of all the lectures I’ve given around the world, and the comments people have made to me after my speeches. It lead me to this question for us today – Isn’t that what we all want - to move on to a better life? Isn’t this true, regardless of our economic status? It’s the nature of humanity to HOPE for improvement in our lives.

But the question for us is, WHAT CAN WE DO TO CREATE THIS for ourselves and others today? How about taking a leaf from Julia Stewart? What if we paid more attention to recognizing each other for small achievements and for celebrating achievements of ourselves and others? How do we know that we wouldn’t touch, move, and inspire others, as Julia did with her employee’s mother? How do we know we wouldn’t bring hope for a changed life to our own family member? Or to our own employee or spouse or ourselves?

3 SECOND FOCUS TIP – Today, as you go about your day, take a few seconds to think about a recent accomplishment of your own. How can you celebrate that accomplishment? Why not celebration today? Later as you go about your day, THINK OF ANY PERSON in your life. What accomplishment, small or large, have they had recently? How can you acknowledge them for that?

A few words are all you need. As you learn to do this, your leadership abilities will grow. Your self esteem will increase. Your own life will soar. Think of what Julia Stewart did. Her acknowledgment brought HOPE for them to break out of their current situation and MOVE ON TO A BETTER LIFE. Your words and thoughts can do the same for you and for others today! Don’t delay. Try it and see what results you get through these actions.