Gabriella Karch-Egeo, Senior Interim Manager at HR Unlimited AG on the topic of appreciation

Recently, I have been increasingly confronted with the topic of appreciation. Whether in business or in private life.

For example, if someone leaves a company and I ask for the exact reason, it happens from time to time that the person feels unappreciated. If I then ask what appreciation is or ask about it in my environment, I get very different and individual answers.

So I took a closer look at the topic and asked myself what exactly is genuine appreciation? Genuine appreciation means recognition, respect and appreciation of a person in their individual character. In other words, a positive attitude towards others. It doesn’t always have to do with performance, but concerns a person as a whole, their nature, their personality and uniqueness. An appreciative attitude accepts that people make mistakes and builds on the fact that they learn from them. Appreciation is expressed, among other things, in respect, goodwill and interest in a person.

How does appreciation feel and what does it achieve? It triggers feelings such as joy, satisfaction and connection. It feels good to be seen. Clear signals of appreciation warm and strengthen us emotionally. Appreciation brings the feeling of being accepted into our everyday lives and our interactions with others. In an environment that promotes appreciation, people are more loyal and willing to give more and achieve more.

What is the opposite of appreciation and what happens when there is a lack of appreciation? The opposite of appreciation is called disrespect and is characterized by a clear feeling of superiority. The person is often disinterested or indifferent towards you. They devalue you by behaving arrogantly. Contempt triggers negative feelings and fears. A lack of appreciation makes you ill, as it leads to stress and frustration, which has a negative impact on your health and the working atmosphere. A lack of appreciation also has a significant impact on work performance and productivity. Employees who do not feel valued lose motivation and interest in their work. Mental and physical illnesses lead to increased absenteeism.

I have set myself the task of once again working on my basic attitude and appreciation of others and, above all, myself. To observe and reflect on myself. How does my counterpart react when I am not so appreciative and what are the reactions when I show appreciation. Or what happens to me when I don’t receive appreciation and how do I react when a person has an appreciative attitude towards me.

I have experienced amazing things during this time and have once again realized how important appreciation is in life and it always starts with yourself. If you show yourself appreciation, you are also able to show it to others.

“Everyone needs appreciation”, it plays an important role in personal well-being and interpersonal relationships. Everyone wants to feel accepted and that they belong. Appreciation directly is not actually a basic human need. But it satisfies one or even two of our basic needs, self-worth and connection.

Have these lines got you thinking? We all want healthy employees and fellow human beings. So dear bosses, parents, partners, children and all fellow human beings, I urge you to go on a journey of discovery, as I have done. You will see that it will be worth it.

HR Unlimited AG is an owner-managed company specializing in interim management based in Glattpark Opfikon, Switzerland, and has been offering interim assignments in Switzerland and abroad since2002. HR Unlimited AG is Andreas Biel, Tanja Biel, Balz Schlittler, Marcel Brader, Christian Hobi, Christoph Müller, Andreas Gnepf, Gramoz Lekaj, Benjamin Roth, Kadir Kirmizitas, Natalia Minnig, Fabio Feller, Gabriella Karch, Doris Liechti and a large, qualified pool of personally trusted interim managers.