Charles Schwab was one of the first people in history to be paid a salary of one million dollars a year. It was 1921, and that figure was staggering. His employer, Andrew Carnegie, was asked why Schwab was worth so much. Carnegie's answer was memorable: Schwab's ability to work with people was worth all his other knowledge and skills combined. When asked about his secret, Schwab gave this answer: I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among my people the greatest asset I possess. The way to develop the best that is in a person is by appreciation and encouragement. He did not say flattery. He said appreciation. Carnegie draws a sharp line between the two. Flattery is cheap, insincere, and self-serving — it is designed to get something from the other person. Real appreciation is honest, specific, and given without an agenda. Flattery sounds like: you are so intelligent. Appreciation sounds like: the way you broke down that problem in class today was really sharp — I had not thought of it from that angle. One is vague and transactional. The other is a genuine observation about something real. Think about Ngozi, who has been helping coordinate logistics for an ATTP event. Nobody has said anything to her. The work is just expected. Then someone says: Ngozi, the way you organised those registration lists so that check-in ran smoothly this morning — that made the whole morning work. Ngozi does not just feel good. She works harder next time. She believes in the work more. We are so starved for genuine appreciation that when someone offers us real, honest recognition, it sticks with us for years. Carnegie quotes the philosopher John Dewey, who said the deepest urge in human nature is the desire to be important. Appreciation is the one tool that speaks directly to that urge — when it is sincere. The habit Carnegie recommends: instead of thinking about what you want or need from someone, pause and notice what they are doing well. Name it specifically. Say it. Do this every day.