“The longer I live and the more experience I have of the world, the more I am convinced that, after all, the one thing that is most worth living for—and dying for, if need be—is the opportunity of making someone else happier and more useful.” —Booker T. Washington, Up from Slavery: An Autobiography
When we want to make others feel important, we shift the focus from ourselves to them. This means truly listening to their thoughts and feelings, acknowledging their contributions, and offering genuine compliments. We can also show we value them by remembering details about their lives and interests, offering help when needed, and simply being present and engaged in conversations. These acts of consideration show them they are seen, heard, and appreciated for who they are.
People often look to elevate themselves rather than others by focusing on their strengths and merits. It is unfortunate to note. People have become so busy that they don’t find time to care for others. The world has become ruthless with cutthroat competition. It is a rat race where no one cares about others. That is the current scenario globally.
God blessed us with life. If everyone thinks of contributing something to others by whatever means most of the problems will be resolved and people feel better, bigger and greater. However, very few people have the time to think along those lines as they don’t find to think through. They are used to routine activities as the way most people don’t breathe even properly due to high stress levels. Where will the world go? Who will save the world and the people? It is time to think through and do something for others to make a difference.
Make a habit of spending some time daily to listen to people and empathize with them. It comforts them. If possible, observe people around you, say a few good things, and motivate them. Who knows? The man whom you motivate might be on the brink of disaster.
The Power of Connection
When you want to make someone feel important, it is essential to show genuine interest in their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Take the time to actively listen to them and validate their perspectives. Use their name to personalize your interactions and make them feel seen and valued. Additionally, make an effort to remember important details about their life and show sincere care and concern for their well-being.
By acknowledging and appreciating their contributions, accomplishments, and unique qualities, you can make them feel important and truly special. Remember, the key is to be authentic and sincere in your interactions, as people can often sense when someone is being insincere or trying to manipulate them.
1. Practice Active Listening
Effective communication is essential in any relationship, and listening is a significant part of it. When someone speaks to you, give them your full attention. Maintain consistent eye contact and respond with non-verbal cues to show that you’re genuinely present and engaged. Ask follow-up questions and reflect back on what they have said. This way, you show that you’re listening and that what they have to say is interesting and meaningful to you.
2. Make Time for One-on-One Interactions
Making time for one-on-one interactions can be incredibly impactful. By dedicating individualized attention to someone, you are showing that they are a priority to you. This could involve scheduling a coffee date, going for a walk together, or just having a private conversation where you can focus solely on that person. During these one-on-one interactions, make sure to actively listen, engage in meaningful conversation, and show genuine interest in what they have to say. This focused time together allows for deeper connections to be formed, making the individual feel valued, respected, and important in your eyes.
3. Show Appreciation and Gratitude
When someone contributes to your life in some way, it’s essential to acknowledge their efforts. It’s human nature to want to be recognized for our achievements, no matter how small. Expressing sincere appreciation and gratitude reinforces that the other person is important and that their efforts have not gone unnoticed.
4. Be Respectful and Considerate
Respect and consideration go hand in hand when it comes to making someone feel important. Respecting other people’s boundaries and treating them kindly and compassionately shows that you value them. Pay attention to their body language and take note of any discomfort. Being considerate of others’ feelings is essential to avoid causing unnecessary harm or stress.
5. Offer Support and Encouragement
We all go through difficult times in our lives, and it’s in these moments that we need someone to lean on. Offering emotional support and reassurance shows that you care and that the other person is not alone. In addition, providing words of encouragement and inspiration can be a significant motivator for someone to keep striving towards their goals. This kind of support works as a morale booster and helps them feel important and included.
6. Celebrate Their Successes
Acknowledging someone’s accomplishments is vital to boosting their self-esteem and making them feel important. When someone achieves something that they’ve worked hard for, it’s essential to celebrate it with them—recognize their effort publicly or privately. Celebrating their successes not only makes them feel important but also creates a positive and healthy environment that can be beneficial to everyone involved.
7. Random Acts of Kindness
Small acts of kindness can make a significant impact on someone’s day. Random acts of kindness demonstrate that you’re thinking of the other person and want them to feel good. Simple gestures, such as a thoughtful note, an unexpected gift, or a compliment, can make them feel noticed and appreciated.
8. Inspire Confidence and Believe in Them
When you believe in someone, it gives them the confidence to try new things or achieve their goals. Instilling confidence in others is essential because it shows that you care about their potential. Encourage them to take risks, try new experiences, and believe in themselves. This kind of support can be life-changing for someone who might have been doubting themselves.
9. Practice Empathy
Empathy involves putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. It requires you to set aside your own perspective and understand the other person’s point of view. Empathy is vital in creating a connection because it shows that you care about the other person’s thoughts and feelings. When someone feels like they are being heard and seen, they feel important.
10. Send Thoughtful Notes and Small Gifts
Sending thoughtful notes and small gifts can be a meaningful gesture. Taking the time to write a heartfelt message or select a small token of appreciation shows that you value and care about them. It doesn’t have to be extravagant or expensive; it’s the thought and effort behind the gesture that count. Whether it’s a handwritten note expressing gratitude or encouragement or a small gift that reflects their interests or preferences, it is a personal touch that can make someone feel special and important. The act of giving something tangible can leave a lasting impression and serve as a reminder of its worth in your eyes.
11. Remember Important Dates and Details
You’re absolutely right! Remembering important notes and dates is a fantastic way to make someone feel important. It shows that you pay attention and that their lives and experiences matter to you. Here are some specific ways you can use this to your advantage:
Birthdays and anniversaries: This is a classic, but for good reason. Remembering someone’s birthday or a special anniversary shows you care and makes them feel valued. A thoughtful card or a small gift can go a long way.
Accomplishments and milestones: Did your friend get a promotion? Did your partner achieve a personal goal? Celebrate their achievements! Acknowledge their hard work and be genuinely happy for them.
Interests and hobbies: Pay attention to what the person is passionate about. Maybe your colleague mentioned they love a particular band, and there’s a concert coming up. Surprise them by getting tickets! These small gestures show you listen and care about their interests.
Past conversations: Referencing something they mentioned before shows you were truly listening. “Hey, I remembered you were interested in trying that new Italian place; how about we go this weekend?” This personal touch builds connections and strengthens the relationship.
Remembering these details personalizes your interactions and demonstrates that you value the person and the relationship.
12. Ask for Their Opinion and Input
That’s a great approach! People feel valued when their thoughts and ideas are considered important. Here are a couple ways you can phrase this to make someone feel like their opinion truly matters:
“What do you think about this?” – This is a straightforward way to show you’re interested in their perspective.
“I’m working on X, and I value your expertise. Do you have any suggestions?” This personalizes it and flatters their knowledge on the topic.
“Can you walk me through your thought process on this?” This shows deep interest in not just their answer but also how they came to it.
By asking for their opinion and input, you not only make them feel valued but also gain valuable insights you might not have considered on your own.
13. Show Appreciation for Their Uniqueness
Here are some ways to show appreciation for someone’s uniqueness:
Be specific: Instead of a generic “you’re unique,” point out something you truly admire about their individuality. “I love how you always wear such vibrant colors; it reflects your personality so well,” or “The way you combine your passion for music with your coding skills is something I’ve never seen before; it’s truly unique!”
Actively listen: When they share their interests or hobbies, even if they seem unusual, give them your full attention. Ask questions and show genuine curiosity about what makes them tick.
Celebrate their differences: Does your friend have an eccentric laugh or a quirky fashion sense? Let them know you appreciate it! “Your laugh is so infectious.
It always brightens my day,” or “You always rock those bold patterns; it takes confidence to pull that off, and you do it perfectly!”
Support their individuality. If they’re pursuing an uncommon dream or interest, be their cheerleader. Offer encouragement and help them find resources if possible.
Embrace their quirks. Everyone has them, and those quirks are often what make them special! Instead of trying to change them, accept and appreciate their unique way of being.
Gift experiences: Look for experiences that cater to their specific interests, such as a class related to their unique hobby or tickets to a performance by their favorite niche artist.
By taking the time to show you appreciate their individuality, you’ll strengthen your bond and create a space where they feel comfortable being their true selves.
In conclusion, practicing these habits is how to make someone feel important so that they can have a better connection with you and the world around them. By giving them your undivided attention when you listen, treating them with respect and kindness, acknowledging their accomplishments, and offering your support, you create a positive impact that can last a lifetime. Remember, a little effort goes a long way, and these habits can become your go-to default for building stronger, healthier relationships.
Little Things You Can Do to Make Someone Feel Important: An Inspirational Story
There was a young woman who was walking in the street. A man who was passing by saw the woman, stopped her shook her hand, and said, “Hi young woman! Where are you going? You look so beautiful! Have a great day!”.The woman was shocked at the stranger who shook her hand with warmth and greeted her with a great smile saying that she was looking great.
She was coming back from the medical store with a small bottle in her hand, wrapped in a cover. She was in great depression as her boyfriend cheated on her and married another woman. She felt let down and depressed. She lost all her confidence and felt inferior because she was not looking, which probably led her boyfriend to dump her and search for some other woman.
During the great depression, she went to a medical store to buy poison to end her life. When she was going back after buying a small bottle of poison, the stranger shook her hand, praised her beauty, and wished her a great day. Then she went to her home and looked in the mirror whether she was looking beautiful. She looked at the mirror several times and began smiling by thinking, “Yes, I am beautiful! What the stranger said was right.
My deserted boyfriend is not lucky enough to enjoy my beauty, and she gradually developed confidence.” Finally, she threw away the bottle containing poison, and she went on to build a great career with a good man and become an international celebrity.
This story reveals the importance of making others feel important thus saving them from the brink of committing suicide. We don’t know how much difference we make by praising and elevating others.
It is essential to appreciate and elevate others. Learn to look at the similarities rather than the differences. Learn to look at your strengths rather than your weaknesses, because what goes around will come back to you.
Here are a few nuggets to make others feel more important.
Listen to the other person with the right body language. Step into the shoes and empathize. Nod in agreement appropriately. If the other person is in distress don’t disturb and allow him/her to ventilate problems. Then present your solutions.
When a person achieves something praise liberally. But be specific and objective to avoid sounding like a flattery.
Identify the key strengths of people and praise them whenever and wherever possible.
Adopt the mirroring technique, where you need to convert your body language as per the other person, as it helps in connecting with the other person, making him/her feel comfortable, and creating a common ground.
Remember the fact that people have different needs, egos, emotions, and feelings. You cannot adopt a fixed approach or style to touch them. You need to identify each person’s situation and issue to touch and strike an emotional chord with them.
Above all, always handhold others.
Remember, it takes several years to build relations but takes a few seconds to break it. Hence, present a positive attitude and praise and make others feel more important to touch and connect with them emotionally and successfully.
Final Thought
People might pose a question such as, “At a time when people don’t find time for themselves, how can they find time for their family, friends, and society?” Yes! It is true. As we have responsibility towards our children, we have equal responsibility towards future generations for passing on society’s values and virtues. Hence, it is time for us to find time to think, act, and make a difference for others to take this human civilization to greater heights of glory, not in terms of material but in terms of ideals and ideas.
Reference
https://www.amazon.com/Soft-Leadership-Innovative-Negotiation-Prosperity/dp/1628655909
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Professor M.S. Rao, Ph.D.
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