Give honest and sincere appreciation

When was the last time someone at work thanked you for a job well done? It’s a great feeling isn’t it? Your self-esteem tank is filled up and you feel yourself grow an inch taller.

Giving appreciation can be a powerful motivator. So why is it lacking in so many workplaces? Offices are often full of competition between peers who are vying for recognition and success. Managers and executives might withhold positive feedback because they are insecure and feel threatened by bright, talented people who are rising up through the ranks. Maybe people are just so busy trying to achieve unrealistic management targets that they are in ‘survival mode’ and don’t have the headspace to remember to thank other people.

Stop and consider: Why do you think more people at work don’t show appreciation to others?

Christians should be different

There are many reasons why Christians should be characterized by giving honest and sincere appreciation:

• We are freed to love. Rather than living by malice and envy (Titus 3:3), Christians have been freed to love others. We are secure and strong in our sense of who we are in Christ, and can now look outward to the interests of others. After all, we love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19).
• We value people as created and gifted by God. We know that every person is uniquely made by God and has unique gifts and abilities. By affirming people we are recognizing God’s goodness and power in creation (1 Pet 4:10).
• Christians are people of gratitude and thankfulness. Because of God’s overwhelming kindness and generosity to us, thankfulness should be at the core of everything we do. And it should overflow into all our relationships (Col 2:7).
• God commands justice and fairness. If you are a manager of other people at work, under Christ you are to provide those under you with what is right and fair (Col 4:1). This includes recognizing good work and effort and giving positive feedback where appropriate. People love being appreciated and it will endear you to them as long as your motivations are pure and sincere.

Action: This week make a special effort to be different from the world around you by giving honest and sincere appreciation to the people you work with.

Pray: Stop now and thank God for your work colleagues.

How are you doing with…your Monday morning catch-ups? Have you been prepared to talk about what you learned at church on Sunday?