Last week we wrote about how and why encouragement plays well as a key leadership attribute. We contrasted this with flattery, which totally dilutes the power of real, truth-based genuine encouragement (flattery is insincere, empty, and only self-serving. It is “over-done,” and therefore tends to water down the pop until it no longer has any fizz). Our summary from last week:
To encourage someone is to strengthen them, to give them hope, to reinforce their courage so that they are better equipped to face the next challenge; the next decision; the next day.
While the focus last week was on verbal encouragement, we can also encourage those we lead (and who lead us) by “acts” of encouragement; by doing something that will encourage another person. And at this time of year, it may be fun to do some random acts of encouragement.
Here are some ideas for action-based ways to en-courage someone by doing something encouraging:
- Write a note to someone who has been a strength-giver to you. Hand-written notes are rare and mean more than a text or email.
- Set a time to have coffee with a friend you have not connected with lately. Just for the heck of it…no agenda.
- Acquire a small and inexpensive gift for someone you know that is a symbol of their character qualities you admire.
- Of course this time of year there are almost countless opportunities to volunteer with charitable organizations and to take action that encourages others.
Regardless of the chosen act of encouragement, be creative, thoughtful, and maybe most of all, have fun. The key is to do more than just say something encouraging (although that is awesome in and of itself). Take action. Do something. Keep it simple – and be sincere.
To which person will you be an encourager this week? Write down their name and put it on your to-do list. At the top. Encouragement is contagious. Go for it. Lead.