David Fetterman - AEA Ignite

THE POWER OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I boarded a matatu, (Public service vehicle) to the city during the weekend and we (the passengers) waited quietly for around twenty minutes for the vehicle to fill up.  The driver then arrived and as he entered the vehicle he loudly greeted us “Habari yenu?”  This took us all by surprise because a greeting by the matatu crew was a rare thing not to mention many of them are rude. Any way we softly greeted back. He went ahead to welcome us and asked for a volunteer to pray for the journey “karibuni  sana. Tafadhali mtu mmoja aombee safari yetu”. Now that was strange, and we could not hide how amazed we were. But quickly one gentleman offered to pray.

Throughout the journey the atmosphere was very positive, people charted together and the journey seemed shorter than usual. In return, when we arrived in the city all the passengers thanked the driver for the good drive and he cheerfully told us to have a good day.

Surprisingly, my whole day seemed good despite any challenge that I faced, I seemed to have a positive energy to tackle it and I am sure this was the same for all the other people who shared the journey with me. 

Acknowledging is simply making others feel important. The biggest impact in people’s life’s, is not the accomplishments of goals but the sincere belief in them. It is letting others know through words and actions that they matter. More often than not, people don’t acknowledge their team mates, colleagues or family members. Imagine how our work place or home environment would be transformed after acknowledging one another genuinely on a daily basis.  It is a key ingredient for a thriving workplace and positive relationships.

However, when someone fails to acknowledge you, it’s wise not to take it to heart. For various reasons, it’s crucial that when you’ve demonstrated talent or have been generous or selfless, you learn to congratulate yourself. Promise yourself to acknowledge at least one person on a daily basis.

As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. -Nelson Mandela, 1994 Inaugural Speech