Activate the Remarkable

When I was growing up, a popular show for young kids called Romper Room was a constant source of disappointment. The perky 1970’s era host would take out a “magic mirror” and start naming all of the kids she could see out there in the viewing audience – like Tommy, Jennifer, Rachel, Margaret or John. But she never said the name Shira. And while I kept watching, hopeful one day I’d be seen, that never came to fruition.

Maybe that’s why I’m so wired to pay attention to people’s names, hopes and accomplishments, and get a subconscious burst of excitement when someone does that for me. The same is true for most of us. We want our work to matter, and to feel recognized and appreciated. Unfortunately, that’s not the norm. Gallup’s 2025 State of the Global Workforce Report found that 69% of employees are not engaged – a 7% increase over the previous year – which hurts morale and your bottom-line.

But you know what can change that? Practicing recognition-first leadership. In fact, it is a critical part of my 5 Ways to Activate the Remarkable playbook!

And I’ve made it easier for you to start recognizing others with this downloadable checklist. Consider it as your guide to becoming a Recognition-First Leader — the kind who ignites possibility, fuels optimism, and helps people in your workforce activate their own capacity for being remarkable.