When audience clap, the singer wants to sing more

[Rituu B. Nanda]

I had the opportunity to introduce the SALT way of working to three organizations- DSWS, PJKS and SSDC in Global Fund for Children’s Mangrove Hills cohort in India-  This is what I learned from total 52 staff members.

Appreciation creates responsibility- This came from Pompa di. I learned that responsibility from the heart does not come through ToRs or reporting lines. Actual responsibility grows differently. When someone’s contribution is appreciated genuinely and in the team they feel trusted, not because they are told but they feel valued. As Pompa di added that during the SALT conversation they began to realize that they had many important things in the past and and began to feel to feel the responsibility to continue. 
Appreciation speeds up work- One staff member said that when she was appreciated it stimulate to do more, because she felt trusted. 

Listening to stories inspires action-As Seja dada said that when people hear stories of what is working it creates energy.  People feel inspired to try. They see that change is possible.

Non-judgemental listening makes people want to share more- This came from several particularly the HSWS team that when people feel listened to  without judgement,  they open up.

Everyone has strengths. Everyone matters Gopal da from SSDC mentioned that they have begun to appreciate staff more. He added that recognizing strengths at the organisational level can help staff work together even better.

Conclusion: All organizations want to value their staff and want to build trust.  But struggle how to work with people’s strengths in everyday practice. SALT conversations can be one way to create a non-judgemental space to share what is happening. I close the blog with a metaphor from Sejal dada from PSJKS. He said think of a singer on stage.  When people clap, the singer wants to sing more. The same thing happens in organisations.Pressure takes away energy and demoralizes staff.  Instead appreciation and deep listening signals trust, When strengths are recognised, energy grows, staff step up. This is integral for the organisation to grow faster and further. 

Sejal da leads the Bangla song that reminds us everyone is a king, everyone is a leader, and everyone matters.