The Power of Appreciation: Why Mike Robbins’ TED Talk Stays With Me

There are moments in our lives and careers that act like mirrors—reflecting something we’ve always known deep down but haven’t had the words for. Mike Robbins’ TED Talk, The Power of Appreciation, is one of those mirrors. He names something I’ve felt in my bones for decades as an educator: people—especially students—aren’t just hungry for recognition, they’re aching to be appreciated. Not for what they do, or what they produce, but for who they are. Robbins reminds us that real appreciation means seeing the whole human in front of you, even when they’re not performing, even when they’re struggling, even when they’re quiet.

This is exactly what Massey’s Table Talk was born from. I’ve seen brilliant, thoughtful, curious kids slip through the cracks of fast-paced classrooms because they weren’t raising their hands enough or turning in perfect papers. But they were thinking, deeply. They were feeling, constantly. And they needed more than grades or gold stars—they needed someone to truly see them. This talk affirmed everything I believe: when we pause long enough to appreciate someone for who they are, not just what they do, it changes everything. Appreciation is the heart of belonging, and belonging is the beginning of real growth.