Stiles’ new book hits shelves

Kendall Stiles is known around Georgia College & State University for making people feel appreciated. Now she’s written a book to show how to appreciate others.

Stiles, director of the GIVE Center, GC&SU’s community service/volunteer center, published “Sharing Moments of Recognition Every Day” (S’MORE) in late September. The book discusses the need to recognize and show appreciation to people daily for what they do.

The book shows many ways to show recognition and how it may influence staff loyalty, the productivity of your team and job enthusiasm.

The important thing about recognition is it’s “genuine and from the heart,” said Stiles. “People want to be valued for what they do and to realize that someone cares about them.”

Stiles worked on this book for three years and is planning a series of books like this for students, teachers and leaders showing creative ways to recognize others.

“I had to put myself on a timeline and give myself deadlines to get this book accomplished, but I succeeded at that goal,” she said. “This is my first time at writing a book, and it has been a learning experience, to say the least.”

Stiles said she wrote the book to “dispel the many myths regarding recognition and appreciation.”

“Most people think that when you recognize others, it has to be expensive, in a large formal setting,” she said. “None of this is true. The main thing is it has to be genuine and come from the heart.”

Examples of appreciation include giving girls a single rose in a vase, which stands for “Recognition of Special Endeavor,” and a goldfish in a bowl, which means the person is a “Caring and Responsible Person,” or CARP (a goldfish is in the carp family). Stiles also recommends goldfish crackers for the same reason, as well as bags of Life Savers (for those who are “lifesavers” on projects).

“This book is soooo Kendall,” said Beth Bowman, American Cancer Society community income manager Region I. “She is the one who always recognizes someone not only for the major accomplishments, but for the small ones as well. The message in this book is so important.”

Dr. Robin Harris, director of the office of Experiential Learning and assistant professor in the Department of Government and Sociology at GC&SU, called Stiles “an encourager,” adding, “Her book shares what comes natural to Kendall: showing appreciation and enthusiasm for all that others do rather than focusing on what remains to be done,” she said.

Stiles and Harris have worked closely on the ANGELS project on campus.

Brenda Haulik of the American Cancer Society, who has worked with Stiles on Relay for Life since 1998, is proud that Stiles would write a book about recognition — it is one of Stiles’ trademarks.

“What better person to write a book about recognition. Kendall sets the best example of recognition that I know of,” Haulik said. “We are all living in a very fast-paced world and sometimes do not slow down to say thank you. Kendall Stiles has never been too busy to stop and let someone know how much they are appreciated.”

Stiles’ approach has even rubbed off on students.

“As the coordinator for recognition programs in the GIVE Center, I am able to see the impact Kendall has made in recognizing people,” Kim Benfield, GC&SU student coordinator for the GIVE center said. “Kendall has been a wonderful inspiration to me and GC&SU. I’m glad that even more people can recognize her talents. I only hope that when I go out on my own, I can be as respected as she is.”

Stiles said she appreciates the praise for her work, but she didn’t write it for that reason.

“Two things that I want to be remembered for are the ways that I made a difference in other people’s lives as well, that I took the time to recognize and appreciate others for what they have done,” Stiles said. “Never underestimate what the words ‘a job well done’ or ‘thank you can do.’”

Stiles recently sold copies of the book at the Georgia Serves conference in Macon. Her first edition printing of 100 has almost sold out.

“Sharing Moments of Recognition Every Day” may be purchased by contacting Stiles at the GIVE Center at 445-5936. She is working on setting up a website where the book and other resources may be purchased online.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 18 2002. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry