The Best Gifts You Give
As the holiday season is upon us and lists for whom and what to give are piling high, I was inspired by a client's request for a gift she wanted to give to others. She is the Campaign Director of a large non-profit organization and she asked me to facilitate an event for 40-50 substantial donors and volunteers. During the year, they give so much of their time, energy, and money, so my client wanted to provide a gift in return. Simply put, her gift to them is recognition and gratitude. The event is to celebrate their dedication to the non-profit by highlighting their positive attributes and how they contribute to the organization's success.
Not only is appreciation a wonderful gift to bestow, but it is an invaluable resource for drawing out the best in people. Showing appreciation motivates and inspires others to perform more of the behavior you acknowledged; thus in return, you get more of the desired results. Successful leaders know how to use these affirmations to enhance productivity. A classic business tool, Appreciative Inquiry (developed by David Cooperrider), utilizes our strengths and successes to solve problems, make decisions, and build better businesses. Rather than trying to improve our weaknesses or fix what went wrong, Appreciative Inquiry focuses on the future by capitalizing on what we do well and building upon those assets.
How can you use Appreciative Inquiry in your life and in your business? Cooperrider created the 4D cycle for easy application of this process. Think of an issue, need, or goal you would like to positively address (i.e. growing your business, getting a partnership/relationship back on track, navigating a life/career transition).
Discover- Illuminate what you do well. What are your best gifts? What strengths do you offer your organization, your employees, your relationships, or your community?
Dream- Envision the possibilities. What can you do with your gifts? How can your organization use these strengths to increase productivity, profits, market share? How can you contribute to other people?
Design- Construct the future. What should you continue doing because you do it well? What assets can you maximize to advance your dream? What systems, structures, and strategies will get you to the desired goal?
Deliver- Carry out the plan. Concentrate on your strengths and abilities and how they best serve you and your organization.
There is more satisfaction in performing actions we do well, rather than those we do not do well. Search for the greatness in yourself and others and the solutions will be more enjoyable to pursue. Equally as important though, is how you affirmatively view the experience. To learn more about Appreciative Inquiry or how you can uncover your gifts and apply them in your life and work, contact kim@mycoachinmotion.com
The Active Pursuit. . .
With the ongoing challenges of the economy, you have many gifts you can give that bear no financial cost, but will certainly go a long way. Here is Kim's top 5 non-monetary gifts:
1. You - being present with others is the perfect present.
2. Time - one of the best gifts I ever received was a weekend to do just what I wanted to do.
3. Praise & Encouragement - this is the best approach to motivate and inspire others.
4. Non-judgmental Listening - no better way to build, repair, or enhance a relationship. The key word is 'non-judgmental.'
5. Unconditional Love or Support - it goes beyond your friends and family.
If you do have money in your budget and want to give gifts that will have lasting value for the receiver as well as the giver, consider Kim's top 5 'ROI gifts' that won't just sit on a shelf or in a drawer:
1. Gift a Coach - Show your support for growth and development by hiring a coach for a colleague, partner, or someone else in your inner circle.
2. Experiential Development - A Retreat / Workshop / Conference / Educational Seminar / or other opportunity to reflect, recharge, or reboot.
3. Collateral Materials - If you can't offer the above, the next best source is a form of media, such as books, magazine subscriptions, DVD's, teleconferences or webinars.
4. Vacation/Spa/Gym Membership - the gift of relaxation and/or fitness does wonders for refueling one's energy and motivation.
5. Paid Time Off - in business, this is an obvious cost. In your personal life, it may mean paying for a baby-sitter, pet-sitter and/or a house-sitter.
. . .of Excellence
Thin Book of Appreciative Inquiry by Susan Hammond. While there are several books on the topic, this is a quick-read and easy reference if you want to incorporate Appreciative Inquiry into your professional and personal life.
Mindset by Carol Dweck. Don't subscribe to what assessments say your potential may be. This book offers inspiring examples of people who have grown beyond what has been predicted or expected of them. In thinking about your gifts, this book will help you break out of the paradigms of what is "fixed" and what is possible.
Ideas in Motion
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that more companies are moving away from large holiday bonuses and parties and giving managers budgets to use for group or individual motivational or developmental activities.
"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have."
- Frederick Keonig
"The greatest truth must be recognition that in every man, in every child is the potential for greatness."
- Robert Kennedy
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