Al was a titan and founder of a universally respected local wealth-building enterprise when I was just getting into the craft. So, eight years ago, when Al had stopped by unannounced and thanked me for things I had done for our craft. I was flabbergasted.
Al has done wonderful things through the local apartment association, typically behind scenes, to help rental owners. His firm bought and operates major buildings. They raise capital, improve property, and keep assets for decades. Their investors are quite pleased with the returns that Al and his partners have delivered for a generation. I have never served his firm as their broker. He knew of some of my volunteer effort for rental housing owners, he had previously complimented me for some of my articles and some of my testimony in front of government entities that proposed regulations on rentals.
Recently I wrote an article that documented how much equity had grown in a ZIP Code that most investors avoided but where Al invested. He received a copy of the article as a recognition of his wisdom for investing in a part of town that some people scoffed at.
Late in the day, my phone rang. It was Al.
“I had to call you back by the end of the day. I didn’t want to risk missing you.”
What a class act! He was calling me back because he appreciated the recognition. The acknowledgment added value to him.
In our conversation, I told him about a book I had just mailed him. The book is Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance. It’s about people who have done well at work and are considering a pivot away from career victories toward something that they deem more important.
Within a couple of minutes, Al asked me if I had heard of Dr. Andrew Huberman. He is a neuroscientist and tenured Professor in the Department of Neurobiology at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
This professor’s research and other research he shares on his podcast document that people who are grateful and acknowledge their gratitude live longer and healthier lives. Al models that “attitude of gratitude” you’ve heard about.
Feeling and expressing gratitude is not just a good talk during worship or a nice opening speech at nursery school. When you count your blessings and thank others, good biochemistry happens. We feel better and the person to whom we express gratitude feels better too.
As our call ended Al summed it all up. “When a property appreciates what does that mean?” he asked. I said, “It increases in value.”
“Right. So, when people are affirming, encouraging, forgiving, generous, kind, etc. they are adding value. You add value when you love. So, you add value to me; another way to say it is you appreciate me.”
What a class act!
No wonder so many people appreciate, respect, and admire Al.
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So now that you’re smarter than you were 90 seconds ago, how will you use this tidbit to appreciate others today?
-o0o-
Terry Moore, CCIM, is the author of Building Legacy Wealth: How to Build Wealth and Live a Life Worth Imitating. Read his “Welcome to My Blog.”