A simple “thank you” is polite. Real appreciation is leadership in action. We say people are our greatest asset, but too often recognition comes in the form of generic emails, gift cards, or a quick shoutout at a staff meeting. Nice? Sure. Memorable? No. People remember when you saw them before you needed them. They remember when you noticed their effort, not just the outcome. They remember when you spoke their name in rooms they weren’t invited into yet. Appreciation is not
