How often do you celebrate the people you work with, and the people you love? Probably it’s not often enough. Ask yourself: Who's made your life easier lately? Who's supported you behind the scenes? Who's shown up for you consistently, even in small ways? Who deserves to hear that they matter? It’s easy to assume people already know how much we value them. But they usually don’t hear it nearly enough. Success is rarely a solo act. Today is a good day to tell someone: I see you. I appreciate you. I’m grateful for you. Today, I want to celebrate my chief of staff Jon Hugo Ungar, who's worked with me for 6 years and had a big milestone recently in the other part of his career. He's a composer and just released a new album for his musical Redrum, a parody of The Shining. Jon and I met in the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop and he's incredibly talented! His album is available to stream for free here: https://lnkd.in/ew3akWk7 I also want to celebrate my wife, Alexis Redding, whose TEDx talk "Why we keep telling young adults the wrong stories," just crossed 1 million views. https://lnkd.in/eSSHrZGU If you're the parent of a college student or young adult, please check it out. It draws on her research at Harvard University and her work as a coach for young adults and their families. Who do you want to celebrate today? Don't wait for the perfect moment. Today is good enough.
HUGE congrats all the way around!
The line about assuming people already know tends to be where this falls down. Most appreciation sits unspoken because the work is familiar or expected, especially with the people you rely on most. It only becomes visible when it’s missing. Saying it out loud shifts something small in the moment, but it tends to change how people show up afterwards as well.
Public gratitude is cheap so it scales faster than compensation. After 6 years of chief of staff leverage, a shoutout can still leave the workload and credit structure unchanged in the next planning meeting. Where does appreciation show up in pay and scope decisions?
Congratulations, Jon Hugo Ungar! 👏 And thank you, my love. I’m grateful to feel celebrated by you every day! 🩷
Love how thoughtful this is, Dorie. Appreciation lands so differently when you actually name what someone brings to your life. Always a good nudge to do it more.
Dorie Clark, love this! Let's do it more often, life's too short. Plus, one act of kindness like this, without expecting anything back, has massive ripple effects! You just dont know how much positive impact it can have. Immeasurable good.
Beautiful reminder, Dorie. Gratitude isn’t just kind it reinforces connection, motivation, and culture. Acknowledging the people who quietly show up shapes both relationships and long-term success.
Celebrating contributions, big or small, shapes culture quietly but profoundly. Regularly speaking gratitude reinforces trust, connection, and mutual respect across teams and personal relationships. Thank you for sharing.
Dorie Recognition matters more than we often realize. Take a moment today to appreciate someone who shows up consistently.
I think a lot of people view you, Dorie, as a leading voice in personal branding and communication, as they well should. What may not be as publicly apparent, is how much of an innovator you are when it comes to working with people and how valued you make them feel. It is unique, powerful, and special. I am regularly reminded of this both by you and by the many others that come to know that I work with you. It truly feels like a collaborative effort and I am so honored and grateful for our work together. Thank you so much!