The power of appreciation: Mike Robbins at TEDxBellevue

Summary

In this heartfelt talk, the speaker reflects on the power of appreciation, sharing a personal journey from professional baseball to business. After a career-ending injury, they realized they had been too focused on success and failed to appreciate the present moment. Through studying appreciation's impact on relationships and productivity, they explore how appreciation goes beyond recognition and contributes to emotional well-being. The talk highlights simple yet profound ways to show appreciation, concluding with a touching story of gratitude toward the speaker's mother, emphasizing that expressing appreciation is a powerful gift for both the giver and receiver.

Takeaways

• 😀 Appreciation is a powerful tool for personal growth and relationships, as it allows us to recognize the value in others and ourselves.
• 😀 The speaker learned the importance of appreciation after losing his baseball career, realizing he had not fully appreciated it while he had it.
• 😀 Often, we get so focused on achieving success and reaching our goals that we forget to appreciate the present moment and the things we have.
• 😀 The distinction between recognition and appreciation is crucial: recognition is performance-based, while appreciation is about valuing people for who they are.
• 😀 Feeling appreciated and valued leads to increased productivity and satisfaction, both in personal and professional settings.
• 😀 Research shows that when employees feel recognized and valued, they are significantly more effective and productive.
• 😀 Appreciation should not be conditional; it should be an ongoing, authentic practice, not just tied to performance.
• 😀 A simple act of appreciation, like showing empathy during times of failure, can have a profound impact on relationships.
• 😀 The speaker shared an emotional story about surprising his mom with a published story in a book, illustrating how appreciation can be a deeply personal and meaningful gift.
• 😀 Small, consistent actions to show appreciation can transform relationships and organizational cultures.
• 😀 To cultivate appreciation, we need to consciously look for things to appreciate in others, create practices to express it, and graciously receive compliments.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the speaker's message in the video?

The central theme is the power of appreciation. The speaker highlights the importance of recognizing and valuing people not just for their achievements but for who they are, and how this can positively impact personal and professional relationships.

What regret does the speaker express about their baseball career?

The speaker regrets not appreciating their baseball career while they were actively involved in it. They were so focused on achieving success that they missed out on enjoying the journey and valuing the experience.

How does the speaker differentiate between recognition and appreciation?

The speaker distinguishes between recognition, which is performance-based, and appreciation, which is about valuing the person regardless of their achievements. Appreciation is a deeper, more personal acknowledgment of someone's worth.

What impact does appreciation have on individuals according to the speaker?

Appreciation has a significant positive impact on individuals, leading them to feel valued and motivated. The speaker notes that people perform better when they feel appreciated, which is more effective than just being recognized for their accomplishments.

What example does the speaker use to illustrate the importance of appreciation?

The speaker shares a personal story about writing a book and gifting it to their mother. When their mother realized the story was about her, it moved her deeply, illustrating how meaningful appreciation can be.

What does the speaker say about the connection between appreciation and productivity?

The speaker mentions that research shows appreciation increases productivity, with one study noting that it can be 43% more effective than recognition alone in motivating people and improving performance.

What advice does the speaker give about expressing appreciation?

The speaker advises people to look for the good in others and express appreciation regularly. They also suggest that people should be genuine in their appreciation and make it a daily practice to acknowledge the value in those around them.

How does the speaker suggest we should respond to compliments?

The speaker encourages people to accept compliments graciously, as doing so fosters an environment where appreciation can thrive. Being open to receiving appreciation helps strengthen the culture of appreciation in relationships.

Why is the speaker’s story about their mother significant in the talk?

The speaker’s story about gifting the book to their mother is significant because it illustrates the deep emotional impact of appreciation. The mother’s reaction shows how meaningful it is to be appreciated, and how it can transcend professional success and result in personal fulfillment.

What role does appreciation play in relationships and business, according to the speaker?

In relationships and business, appreciation helps build trust and strengthens connections. It creates a positive environment where individuals feel valued and respected, which ultimately leads to greater productivity and better performance.