The Age of Enlightenment changed the way mankind thought about life, culture and human relationships. In her evocative new book, The Power of Acknowledgment, Judith W. Umlas unleashes the concept of an Age of Acknowledgment we can all help bring about.
In a time of celebrity worship and self-absorption, Judith’s well-reasoned and heart-felt appeal is so counterculture as to be revolutionary. Imagine, as does the author, people acknowledging each other’s humanity, accomplishments, talents and wisdom on a continuous basis. It might just catch on. And wouldn't that be something!
This 45-minute read will change your life and the life of everyone around you!
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Hardcover / 112 pages / $14.95
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Download the first 20 pages of this book
Judith W. Umlas speaks to T-Systems
Author of The Power of Acknowledgment, Judith W. Umlas speaks to T-Systems in a Virtual Classroom setting
About the Author
Judith W. Umlas is Senior Vice President, Learning Innovations, at International Institute for Learning, Inc. (IIL), Director of Small Companies United for Global Disaster Relief, Inc. and Co-Publisher of global Web portal allPM.com. She has worked in television production, marketing and corporate business development, and her writing credits include articles in Working Woman magazine, The New York Times, and The Chicago Tribune.
Judith W. Umlas is available for speeches, training and seminars and can be reached at judy.umlas@iil.com.
The 7 Principles of Acknowledgment
The world is full of people who deserve to be acknowledged.
It will be easier to acknowledge those you care most about if you start by practicing your acknowledgment skills on people you don’t know very well, or even know at all. Then you will begin making the world a happier place.
Acknowledgement builds intimacy and creates powerful interactions.
Acknowledge the people around you directly and fully, especially those with whom you are in an intimate relationship. What is it about your spouse, your daughter, your uncle, your oldest colleague or subordinate that you want to acknowledge? Look for ways to say how much you value them, and then be prepared for miracles!
Acknowledgment neutralizes, defuses, deactivates and reduces the effect of jealousy and envy!
Acknowledge those you are jealous of, for the very attributes you envy. Watch the envy diminish and the relationship grow stronger as you grow to accept valuable input from the person you were envying.
Recognizing good work leads to high energy, great feelings, high-quality performance and terrific results. Not acknowledging good work causes lethargy, resentment, sorrow and withdrawal.
Recognize and acknowledge good work, wherever you find it. It’s not true that people only work hard if they worry whether you value them. Quite the opposite!
Truthful, heartfelt and deserved acknowledgment always makes a difference, sometimes a profound one, in a person’s life and work. Rarely given acknowledgements have no more value than frequent ones. Sincere praise should not be withheld due to fear of diminishing returns, of appearing inappropriate or out of embarrassment. These obstacles can and should be overcome in order for you and your recipients to reap the tremendous rewards.
It is likely that acknowledgment can improve the emotional and physical health of both the giver and the receiver.
There is already substantial scientific evidence that gratitude and forgiveness help well-being, alertness and energy, diminish stress and feelings of negativity, actually boosting the immune system. It is reported that they can even reduce the risk of stroke and heart failure. This research leads us to believe that acknowledging others has similar effects.
Practice different ways of getting through to the people you want to acknowledge.
Develop an acknowledgment repertoire that will give you the tools to reach out to the people in your life in the different ways that will be the most meaningful to each situation and each person.
"The Power of Acknowledgement" offers a simple yet important message to help readers spread positive feedback that will enhance their lives and the lives of the people around them." - Marci Shimoff, Co-author, Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul,
Featured teacher in hit film, The Secret
“Acknowledgment of a project team, individually and in a group setting is as important as planning a project. Project team members need recognition and acknowledgment for the work they do and their commitment to success. Umlas’ book can put project managers on a fast track to enhancing team performance through reinforcement of principles that we should clearly already know. Acknowledgment is a catalyst for great performance.” - Frank Saladis, PMP, Senior Project Management Instructor
“I experienced first hand ‘the power of acknowledgment [after missing a connecting flight]. People were mad, frustrated and started a shouting match at the United Airlines service desk. When my turn came, I acknowledged the agent’s hard work, sense of service and her efforts to get us out of a bad situation. I immediately saw a look of surprise on her face, an easing of tensions and a smile not only in my agent but also in others working next to her…Acknowledgment appears to be a fundamental human element in our relationships with one another. Thank you for introducing me to this powerful concept.”
- Shakir Zuberi, PMP President - Project-Management International
"I have always tried to practice formal acknowledgment, and feel I am skilled in that art form, but need to improve my skills at face-to-face acknowledgment. Through her book, The Power of Acknowledgment, Judith Umlas has given me the encouragement to be unafraid to voice appreciation more readily. My thanks for an inspirational book.
- Janet Dyke, PMP, APMC, Worldwide Project Management Office, Area Manager - Project Management AT&T Oklahoma
"After reading this book I immediately started looking at ways to acknowledge people. I see the value in it and this book helps you see yourself doing it, and the reminder is good. I could recommend this book to so many people."
- Perry Morgan, CFO, Marietta Corporation, Cortland, NY
"The Power of Acknowledgment, what a great little book! I have found it to be a good motivator for me to acknowledge folks around me."
- Ida Beal Harding, PMP, Trustee, PMI Los Angeles Chapter
"Everyone likes to be thanked or praised for what they do. Not only do you make the other people feel good, you also feel good too. It is sad that so many people do not do that, and it does not cost a penny. Everyone should read this book and put it into practice. Then the world would be a much better place."
- Sarah Scriven, English teacher, Buenos Aires, Argentina
"Immediately after reading The Power of Acknowledgment I started using the principles. After a grueling hour of dental work I told my dentist how much I appreciated the extra time and care he gave me! Since he is probably not used to hearing such acknowledgment, he was totally shocked and delighted!"
- Lena Randall, grandmother and homemaker
WEBINARS 
Judith W. Umlas is Senior Vice President, Learning Innovations, at International Institute for Learning, Inc. (IIL), Director of Small Companies United for Global Disaster Relief, Inc. and Co-Publisher of global Web portal 
Podcasts
