Appreciating Value

Dale Carnegie identified that one of the Principles for effective human relations was to "Give, honest, sincere Appreciation." Remembering on such and same from my 14 years with Dale Carnegie Training® from 1987 through to 2001... I got to thinking about Appreciation and value. In Summer Flourish, Going Forward, I noted that I would be beginning a Weekly Summer Blog Series I am calling virtuousCITY... exploring my own chosen Baha'i Faith, Stoicism and thoughts from Dale Carnegie and other more modern day classic "thoughtsters"... focusing on and around Character and Purpose... and high functioning Unity. Well, here goes.

The Power of Appreciation

Merriam-Webster defines Appreciation as "a feeling or expression of admiration, approval or Gratitude". I humbly contend that it is also a Virtue; a Strength of Character Leadership. Indeed, I have long suggested that the Virtue that is Gratitude is a spirit (a countenance and gait), and that the Virtue that is Thankfulness is the capacity to express such Gratitude in words. I also offer up that Appreciation is the expression of that Gratitude ... in deeds.

When we depreciate an asset, we lower its value. When we appreciate an asset, we increase its value. The same can be considered for things, ideas, people and more. When we express Appreciation in deeds, we increase value. That said, Marcus Aurelius wrote to the idea that ...

• "That which is not good for the bee-hive cannot be good for the bee."

Stoicism offers that Humanity is interconnected, and the well-being of one person affects others. Given such, I also offer that, as we appreciate people, things and ideas... we add to their and our value. At home, school, work, business, play and community, we can add value to the whole and to ourselves through the practice of Appreciation. Still, as Dale Carnegie admonished, that Appreciation must be honest and sincere.

TAG: A Practice of Appreciation

With Gratitude, Thankfulness and Appreciation in mind and heart, here is a practice I think worth considering... I again humbly suggest and contend.

I have created what I call a TAG Jar. In it, I have placed some 100 (and growing) things, ideas and people around which and whom I hold honest, sincere Gratitude. I pick one daily, and consider how I might honestly and sincerely thank and appreciate same ... in words and deeds.

Each day is dedicated to holding Gratitude, expressing Thankfulness, and acting upon Appreciation around that person, thing or idea... giving focused attention. Things can be books, places, shows, stories or anything physical that we treasure. Ideas can be aspects of Character, Ability, Skill, Knowledge, Mission, Vision, Just Cause or a concept that has meaning for us. People can be family, friends, colleagues, customers, constituents, or strangers we have just met. The key is to pick one a day and make it a priority to practice manifesting Gratitude through Thankfulness and Appreciation; through word and deed. In so doing, we appreciate the value of that person, thing or idea... and subsequently ourselves. If "That which is not good for the bee-hive cannot be good for the bee", then that which is good for the hive is good for the bee, I offer. And so, we gain with the practice as both proverbial "hive and bee".

Imagine at home, school, work, business, play and community... building a culture of Appreciation, increasing value for the whole and ourselves. That considered, I offer these words I treasure... which contain some thoughts on how we might ever better appreciate.

Generosity, Thankfulness, Trust, Friendliness, Fairness, Joyfulness, Integrity, Strength, Truthfulness, Fidelity, Righteousness (doing the right thing), Justice, and more can be part of how we might appreciate others. That said, I encourage this daily practice, whatever form it might take for you. I encourage a daily practice of manifesting Gratitude through honest and sincere Thankfulness (in word) and Appreciation (in deed) to add value at home, school, work, business, play and community.

Honest, sincere Appreciation increases the value of others and ourselves. With it, we can consistently help build an ever better world and future… at home, school, work, business, play and community. Let's do that, in daily practice.

Peace, and Purpose...

I humbly but encouragingly invite you to connect with me at Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy with Epic Engage

• I help campuses, companies and communities to move forward, together, stronger. I am a Speaker, Educator, Coach, "Insightor", Producer, and Creator... working with 6 Strategies, 7 Tactics, 6 Temperaments and TUGtv... to help elevate conversations, capacities and Character Leadership.
• I do so for that better world and future... at home, school, work, business and community. In so doing, I bring my work as Master Facilitator with the Virtues Project™ ... my experience as a Certified Facilitator with Personality Dimensions® ... and my Service as a Facilitator with the Ruhi Institute and as Practitioner of the work of What Color is Your Parachute? since 1982.
• I explore and advance Character and Purpose to help forge high functioning Unity... serving 3 Communities... to help build an ever better world and future… at home, school, work, business and community.

Some Thoughts on What I Do, as Speaker, Educator and Coach

• "I had the distinct pleasure of being in an audience in Montreal with Barry Lewis Green on the stage. Quite simply, Barry absolutely captivated us with his talent, his message, and his heart. The feeling of Unity that Barry created in the room that day was extraordinary. I absolutely recommend him for your meeting or event." --- Joe Calloway
• "The Mount Pearl Paradise Chamber of Commerce were fortunate enough to have Barry Lewis Green as a presenter for a Webinar Series we recently offered. He was so engaged with his audience and made everyone feel valued. He brought excitement and energy to our session and certainly shared his passion and knowledge with us. We will certainly be having Barry back for another series. Thanks Barry for being so professional." --- Wanda Palmer
• "I've had the pleasure of knowing Barry for over twenty years as a leader, group facilitator, engaging speaker and inspiring educator. I participated in a transformative corporate team building day that Barry designed and delivered to my Skills Canada colleagues from across the country; all participants felt it was an impactful and motivating PD session that inspired trust and action. Barry has volunteered with Skills Canada for over twenty years as the emcee for the most important and cumulative event of the year - our Annual Awards Ceremony. Barry skillfully and humorously keeps the crowd engaged and entertained while maintaining flow and procedure. Barry is also a mentor to our Entrepreneurial program, and as a well-respected educator has inspired several highly-skilled graduates to seek employment with our organization and amplify his impact. Barry is unique, talented, authentic and leads with passion." --- Carole Ann Ryan
• "I had the privilege of collaborating with Barry on one of our projects, Her Own Boss. His skill in value-based facilitation is nothing short of transformative. With a warm, inclusive teaching style, he connected deeply with our participants, helping them uncover their core values and guiding them in applying these principles to their businesses. I heard great things about him from our previous cohort and I witnessed that firsthand when I attended some of his sessions. If you're looking for someone who can train you/your team in values-driven facilitation, look no further than Barry." --- Serah Gazali
• I consider Barry not only an educator, but a true leader. He teaches in the moment- providing the reality of our evolving business world and passes along his insight and perspective that helps people to think outside the box and to value adaptability and flexibility as forms of succession. He is bold, courageous and fun! He puts his ALL in and goes above and beyond to help another! It was an honor having him as a HR Instructor and Business Planning Coach for two years and will continue to be an honor as I pursue my career and maintain a meaningful and beneficial relationship as a CNA Alumni and friend to Barry. --- Jess Jones

Some Thoughts on What I Do, as Colleague and Collaborator

• "The most learned or experienced person is not always the one who helps us grow and thrive. We all grow and thrive with those who ask the important questions in a loving and Noble manner - with the patience to allow our thinking to unfold, our feelings to emerge and our spirits to soar. This is what being in the same space with Barry is like. Working with Barry on #hUmaNITY is such a joy. I feel the excitement of standing before a blank canvas at the beginning of every gathering, exploring the depths of our creative energies throughout the conversations shared, and emerging at the end with a piece that I could not have painted singularly even on my best days. That is what conversations with Barry feels like. He is organized and efficient. Fearless and Bold. Lives with arms wide open.... and has the best questions (which begin with "I wonder....") asked in a most inclusive manner within a safe space that I often forget we are recording and that others will be witnessing our responses." --- Russell Zehtab
• "It takes immense strength of character to insistently amplify the goodness of every individual whose destiny crosses path with one’s own, no matter how briefly. This is who Barry is. The precious gift of Barry’s faith in you compels an irrepressible desire to show up as the best version of yourself. And in a world aching for radical hope and pragmatic wisdom, Barry is the gentle torch bearer whose light is constant amidst the maelstrom of fads. Should you then find your path intersecting with Barry’s, pause for a while in his companionship, and make space for the gift of his life-changing attention. I know because I paused. Barry, my heart continues to expand with immense gratitude for your indescribable presence. And this gift of an expanding heart, is priceless 🌹" --- Dr. Roslina Chai
• "Barry has a presence...I have known of Barry’s work for many years but have gotten to know him as a friend and colleague within the past five. Whether it be in person or during a presentation, he has the uncanny ability to pull on all of your emotions while driving home key messages that provide personal clarity. Barry’s presentation skills can be explained as ‘heavy metal hits’ meets ‘folk tunes’ meets ‘sounds of nature’. He has an arsenal of skills that is quite eclectic. As a Master Facilitator for The Virtues Project and several other impactful programs, he combines a wealth of knowledge with his own extensive library of content creations. He is highly respected and well-connected within the speaking and social action communities. Barry is a true champion of character leadership. He ‘talks the talk’ and ‘walks the walk’. He approaches each and every interaction with passion and ZEAL! I highly recommend reaching out to Barry for collaboration opportunities." --- Trent Langdon
• Barry is a skilled interviewer with insatiable curiosity, and a well practiced initiative virtue that guides him in pursuing the development of character in his teaching, coaching and interviewing endeavors. He bills himself as TUG (The Unity Guy) and EPIC Engage; very accurate monikers for what he does with such excellence. --- Christine Ayling

Books I am Diggin'...

Thoughts I Hold...