I am on the record as being a person who made sure that appreciation was conveyed to all those with whom I associated during a long educational career. I was very aware of the fact that so often leaders within organisations are handy with the brickbats but rather sparing when it comes to the bouquets.

Thanking and appreciating the efforts of others, I discovered, does a great deal to build a sense of oneness and unity within organisations. People are involved because they want to, not because they have two.

I also learned that one of the best ways of acquiring positive recognition – as opposed to ascribing power – was to treat everybody equally, have an appreciation for all, and make sure that was conveyed.

Now in my second decade of retirement, I try to appreciate people I meet in and around in casual ways in the life that I lead. That includes appreciating quality service in shops, work done by security guards, the attitude of taxi and bus drivers, How trolley boys in the shop assistant manage their responsibilities and someone I recognised. If somebody is speaking clearly and the role of their filling a very clear I let them know.

That appreciation extends from the family in an outbound way to all those with whom I associate.