Valuing Another Person

Appreciation also refers to an increase in worth or value. A painting or stock portfolio appreciates in value. Van Gogh looked at a vase of sunflowers and in appreciating (painting) these flowers increased the flower’s value for everyone. Van Gogh similarly appreciated and brought new value to his friends through his friendship. We can recount a scene from the movie Lawrence of Arabia in which Lawrence tells a British Colonel that his job at the Arab camp was to “appreciate the situation.” By appreciating the situation, Lawrence assessed and helped add credibility to the Arab cause, much as a knowledgeable jeweler or art appraiser can increase the value of a diamond or painting through nothing more than a thoughtful appraisal. Lawrence’s appreciation of the Arab situation, in turn, helped to produce a new level of courage and ambition on the part of the Arab communities with which Lawrence was associated. The coach, consultant, or counselor who fully appreciates her client has raised the client’s value by seeing them in ways that neither he, his associates nor other members of his organization or community might have seen him before—thus opening new vistas for his growth.

Recognizing the Contributions of Another Person

From yet another perspective, the process of appreciation concerns our recognition of the contributions made by another person. “I appreciate the efforts you have made in getting this project off the ground.” Sometimes this sense of appreciation is reflected in the special recognition we give people for a particularly successful project or in the bouquet or thank you note we leave with an assistant. However, praise-inflation and praise-addiction often emerge when this form of appreciation is the only kind provided. These behaviors tend to permanently keep people who report to us in a needy and, therefore (ironically), one-down position.

Appreciation can instead be exhibited more constructively through the daily interaction between an administrator and her associates. It involves mutual respect and active engagement, accompanied by a natural flow of feedback, and an exchange of ideas. More specifically, appreciation is evident in attitudes regarding the nature and purpose of work. If the administrator “sees work as the means whereby a person creates oneself (that is, one’s identity and personality) and creates community (that is, social relations), then the accountability structure becomes one of nurturing and mentoring.”

These are the three most common uses of the term appreciation. We appreciate other people by seeking to understand them, valuing them, and being attentive and thoughtful in acknowledging contributions to their organization or community. The term appreciation is now being used in three additional ways that closely relate to the first three.