Appreciating Strengths….

[Tricia Francis]

Appreciating Strengths….

 

Traditionally, mostly after the learning event, participants, on a blank page pasted on the back of their colleagues, write the strengths they have observed of that person over the period of their interaction.

But, it was done differently for the 28 participants of the recent community life competence learning event in Guyana in September.

On the morning of the final day, each participant was given two pages and the facilitator said “I do appreciate our interaction over the past five days and I am sure you have observed strengths of your colleagues as well. I am sharing these pages with two columns, one has the names of each participant and in the other column I would like you to write strengths, you observed of each person over the five days interaction. Please complete by Close of Business (COB) today. I will share with each of you the strengths your colleagues shared” That was Friday.

By Monday morning each participant received an email which read, “Dear ……., We at GCLC would like to say thanks for attending our workshop and below are some STRENGTHS your fellow participants identified in you. Have a great week ahead as you continue to be SALTY :-)”

What was surprising and heartwarming was the response from participants after they received their email with strengths about themselves identified. Below are some of their responses.

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“Thank you so much for this. It has brought tears (of joy) to my eyes because I never realized that others can see so many strengths in me. I'm happy to have met and interacted with everyone in the workshop. I have enjoyed it tremendously and it is going to change my life forever. I pray that you all have a great week as well and I do look forward to being very SALTY always.

 

Warm regards.”

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“Thank you very much for this. I would like to be involved in the implementation of this strategy/program at local/community level. I would appreciate it if you can let me know about the schedule of such implementation plan; if possible, I will accommodate my schedule according to the team’s one I could be attached to.”

 

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“Wow! That is quite stimulating, thanks very much Tricia and through you and your team, I will also like to extend a heartfelt gratitude to everyone.”

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“The sessions were excellent as much as fully stimulated. With such, there is no doubt that I have learned well of how to be SALTY…I must add, the sessions have well informed me of how I can even start with myself in order to proceed further. Once again, on behalf of myself and The National AIDS Programme Secretariat, the warmest of appreciations for inspiriting me to aspire to be become SALTY. This will surely benefit me and my organization”

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“It was indeed a very salty training. I look forward to using these skills in our workplace activities.” ……………………………………………………………………………………………………...............................................

 

“Oh My!! All of this and I fell ill at the last moment. I do hope that my team mates felt that I was with them in spirit nonetheless. Thanks so much for this thoughtful note.

 

 Warmest wishes and Regards.”

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“Thank You Tricia and Team. Y’all have a good week too. You will be hearing from me for your help to integrate this approach in the HIV Workplace Response. Thanks to you facilitators, you did a wonderful job!”

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“WOW...thanks Tricia, I should frame it made my day...I have a lot strengths, that I am not aware of!!!! :). Great week to you and team!”

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“Thanks Tricia, this was both heartwarming and humbling.” ………………………………………………………………………………………………….............................................…

 

“This is empowering. It was a great learning experience. Well done to the GCLC team!”

 

[Tricia Francis]

Thank you Gaston..   :)

[Gaston]

Awesome! Really great exercise and even better to post this so others can learn and use it. Your SALTiness radiates until Thailand Tricia. A big smile from Chiang Mai

[Tricia Francis]

I totally agree with you Michael, and i know everyone on CLC agrees with you too..  ;)

[Tricia Francis]

Thanks Autry, it was truly rewarding for me too.

[Tricia Francis]

It sure does JL and i will never get tired of being amaze....    :)

[Michael Mc Garrell]

Thank you for sharing Tricia, I always believe that we should always in life tell people of their strengths rather that their weaknesses.

[Jean-Louis Lamboray]

Great posting Tricia!

The  power of SALT keeps amazing us, isn't it?

 

JL

[Autry Haynes]

Thanks Tricia for this posting. That Learning experience was truly rewarding. There was lots of energy expressed over the five days interaction. I have benefited personally from that experience. I am re-energized (^_^). We can now look forward to the SALTiness from the combined strengths as expressed in the reflection above.

 

Saludos to ALL

 

Autry