HEARTS FULL - RESULTS RISING: Why Year-End Appreciation Is the Leadership Superpower Your Team Needs Now

As the year draws to a close and holiday lights begin to glow, many leaders sense it: this is the moment to pause, reflect - and genuinely thank the people who carried the organization through another demanding year. A thoughtful gift, a handwritten note, a few sincere words: appreciation has never been more needed.

In her book "Die innere Führungskraft stärken: 147 Tipps für Entfaltung, Erfüllung und Erfolg" ("Strengthening the Inner Leader - 147 Tips for Growth, Fulfillment and Success"), currently available in German, expert for modern leadership Stefanie J. Camin explores why recognition is far more than politeness - it is a psychological necessity and a powerful driver of performance.
One of the most striking insights comes from her interview with Professor Dr. Johannes Siegrist, whose work has significantly shaped our understanding of how appreciation - or its absence - affects health and motivation.
Siegrist's research highlights a simple but decisive truth: work is an exchange. Employees invest time, skill, energy - sometimes even emotional commitment - and expect something meaningful in return: fair pay, but also acknowledgment.
When effort stays high but appreciation stays low, an imbalance arises. Siegrist calls this effort-reward imbalance a gratification crisis: a chronic emotional strain that can eventually impact mental and physical health. It's not the workload that exhausts people - it's giving their best without being seen.
For leaders, the message is unmistakable: recognition is not a "nice-to-have". It is a strategic responsibility.

Outstanding leadership rests on three competencies:
• Perspective-taking - truly understanding the employee's situation.
• Empathy - being aware of how leadership behavior affects the team emotionally.
• Compassionate action - responding appropriately when people are under strain.
Done well, appreciation becomes precise: the right words, at the right moment, in the right way.
And yes - it pays off.

A sincere compliment is fuel for the human spirit and a highly effective leadership tool. Those who recognize their people experience what Camin calls the Return on Respect (ROR): the measurable performance gains created by genuine appreciation.
Because value grows where people feel valued.

As Christmas approaches, ask yourself:
• What can I recognize?
• Whom kann I thank?
• What moment of appreciation will strengthen my team for the year ahead?
This season is the perfect opportunity to start - or deepen - a culture of acknowledgment that lasts far beyond the holidays.
Inside strong. Outside sovereign. And your people will feel it.

Book Details:
"Strengthening Your Inner Leader: 147 Tips for Growth, Fulfillment, and Success"
ISBN-13: 978-3525400692
Hardcover, 441 pages, €39
Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kRKoLu

About the Author
Since 2008, Stefanie J. Camin has been supporting leaders with practical guidance to help them navigate their day-to-day leadership responsibilities with effectiveness, humanity, and success.
She combines her business expertise with psychological depth to enable leadership that is both appreciative and value-creating-leadership that inspires change and truly makes a difference.
As an author, coach, and speaker, she encourages individuals to start with themselves-because only those who are centered and grounded can empower others.

Stefanie J. Camin

Oberwiesenthaler Straße 6
91207 Lauf
Germany

Stefanie Camin is a keynote speaker and author specializing in inner leadership, mindful communication, and authentic professional development. With a background in education, management, and psychology, she brings over 20 years of cross-industry experience into her work with organizations, leaders, and individuals seeking meaningful and lasting transformation.

Her work is based on the conviction that true leadership begins within. She inspires people to lead with clarity, self-awareness, and inner strength - even in turbulent times. Whether on stage, in workshops, or in her writing, she combines depth with practical tools to strengthen responsibility, resilience, and personal fulfillment.

As a speaker, Stefanie Camin is known for her warm, clear presence and relatable insights. She delivers keynotes at leadership conferences, HR events, and corporate forums, where she empowers her audience to question outdated patterns and embrace a more human, connected way of leading.

In addition to her speaking engagements, Stefanie Camin is the author of the book "Strengthen Your Inner Leadership - 147 Tips for Growth, Fulfillment, and Success", which has been released in October 2025 in German: https://amzn.to/4kRKoLu.

The enterprise is based in Germany and operates independently, collaborating with HR departments, event organizers, and executive teams across various sectors. Its mission: to help people lead with inner clarity - and live with greater purpose.
Motto: Strong within, confident on the outside.

Find out more at www.stefanie-camin.de.

This release was published on openPR.