IWD 2022: 5 messages to appreciate your colleagues, friends, and loved ones

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Lester Tan puts together messages to uplift and show your support to those around you on the special occasion of International Women's Day.

Come 8 March 2022, it's International Women's Day.

While I'm not a woman, and might not physically understand what she has to go through in and outside of the workplace, I am definitely heartened to live in a time that is much more promising as compared to those who lived through the Victorian era as documented in author Hallie Rubenhold's book, The Five - without voice, and without rights.

Today, we're witnessing a higher average of women leaders across Southeast Asia, more organisations offering paid period leave (overcoming the stigma of talking about it), and a paid day off for women to prioritise their health - both physically and mentally. These are some positives, and we certainly mustn't stop here.

There is more that all of us, from leaders, to mid-management heads, and colleagues, can do. From gestures, such as ending the sense of "discrimination" and "ridicule" many women colleagues face when requesting for leave from menstrual pains, to more sweeping changes, such as understanding the reasons behind a depleting women-in-leadership pipeline, and vowing to tackle that as early as possible, working with education and academia. 

While we strive to achieve that, and create a more promising, equal, and safe workplace for women, we can in the meantime do a simple yet meaningful act by showing appreciation to our women leaders, colleagues, peers, and partners through five short messages - whether it is to recognise them for achieving their goals, or to encourage them when times are hard, or to show them love.

Message for when an employee achieves something at work

#1: "You were absolutely brilliant. There was never a doubt in my mind on what you can accomplish. This goes to show what the team can, and will achieve, with you being a big part of it. I'm glad to have you here!"

Message to recognise an employee's efforts when the going gets tough

#2: "I want to let you know that I admire, and appreciate, your tenacity, grit, and strength. Because it's never easy to show up, or show up with a smile when the going gets tough. But here you are. Thank you for all the effort you've given in all that you do, and it'll only get better from here!"

Message to appreciate a friend for being who she is

#3: "For this International Women's Day, I'd like to let you know that I appreciate having you in my life, and there's so much I admire about you Thanks to you, everything around me has a little bit more gratitude, love, and beauty. I'm definitely happier with you around! Happy Women’s Day!"

Message to show some love to your partner

#4: "To the love of my life: you fill my days with happiness, and my world with love! Thank you for creating the best parts of my life."

Message to be grateful to your mother

#5: The world would have no life, and would have meant nothing without you. Today, I'd like to thank you for bringing me into this world, for showing me what it means to live, persevere and make a difference to the lives of others, and for showing me the meaning of unconditional love."

Also read:

- Time to break the bias: International Women's Day 2022
- IWD 2022: What are HR's biggest DEI challenges?
- IWD 2022: How HR and business leaders are doing their part to #BreaktheBias at the workplace

Image / 123RF