Comments on: It Only Takes A Thoughtful Acknowledgment

By: Bob Burg

Bob Burg — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:19:05 +0000

Hi All, words cannot express how much I appreciate all of your thoughts and comments. Thank you for adding so much value to the original article!

By: Nancy Slocum

Nancy Slocum — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:14:45 +0000

Bob, what a fabulous story with a simple but profound message. We all just want to know that we matter and that people care about us. If we just practiced the “Golden Rule” more this world would indeed be a different place. It doesn’t take any more effort to be kind than it does to be rude or indifferent but the outcome will be worlds apart.

What a great reminder to all of us that we never know what is going on inside someones heart. We are often so quick to judge because of what we “see” on the outside. Everyone has a story. How beautiful it would be if we would open up our own hearts more frequently and contribute a positive chapter to someone else’s story. Kind of like living from the inside out instead of the other way around. Thanks for sharing!

By: Andrew B. Clark

Andrew B. Clark — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:09:02 +0000

This is definitely something you can take with you (every day).

Bob, you have such insight on human nature and how true compassion and a spirit of community can cause change… This recent post is just a VERY small example.

Thank you!
Andrew B. Clark
The Brand Chef

By: Dixie Gillaspie

Dixie Gillaspie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:59:27 +0000

Bob, thank you for sharing that story. I think a chapter in that book you keep telling me to write will be “Lessons learned over calamari with Bob” I really love how this has resonated with your readers. Something that keeps coming back to me is the conversation you and I had about purpose when we were talking about YOUR purpose statement. The purpose statement brings out our “visceral purpose” that thing that gets us fired up to start our day. But there is also that “higher purpose” that you mentioned – and for many of us (I would venture to say most human beings and some have just lost their connection to it) that higher purpose does include making others feel good about themselves. The comments here support that little theory of mine. I also think that experience is so validating of all of the Laws of The Go-Giver. We gave only a little genuine concern, he gave us attention and service even though it cost him pain. The laws in action for the benefit of everyone involved. And I’ll bet his improved outlook extended to the other diners he served as well! My status today for today will be “Loving kindness is catching… pass it on.”

By: v

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:37:28 +0000

I’d just like to add that we shouldn’t only acknowledge people with an obvious need, observable pain, or who give us indirect “cues.” Many people don’t wear their pain on their sleeves, or don’t have an obvious physical pain, or don’t give us clues, yet they may be in great emotional pain. Some are just conditioned not to outwardly express their problems, and to try to handle things on their own. Sometimes a simple, sincere question that shows you care (not a canned, robotic “How are you doing today?” or an impersonal “I understand” response to a statement) can make all the difference. Most folks walking around with heavy problems appear to the rest of the world as strong individuals without a care in the world who don’t need extra acknowledgment.

Simply stated, we all just need to take more time for everyone. It’s the human — and humane — thing to do.