Trust, Sacrifice, Appreciation = Stealthy Elite Results: Kevin Ames, Ames Leadership Institute
Fri Feb 06 2026
Great work happens when you trust then notice exceptional cooperation and team leadership:
“We value your work because you are valuable to all of us.”
“Shhh. Until someone values me, I’ll just take my paycheck.”
“One only gets trust with trustworthiness or sacrifice for others.”
What changes when recognition becomes a habit is surprising…
See BoldEncounters.TV.
Episode 2 with Kevin Ames goes beyond appreciation as a leadership idea and turns it into something concrete: the difference between workplaces where nobody cares about the work—and workplaces where people become the kind of professionals who naturally do great work.
Kevin and Mark contrast two unforgettable service experiences, then connect the deeper thread: trust is often built faster through sacrifice than through speeches, policies, or “programs.”
Inside This Episode
• Two radically varied “great work” events—and their cause
• Why people don’t do great work if nobody cares about them
• How sacrifice builds instant trust faster than anything
• Why most people live “in a vacuum of appreciation"
• One way to appreciate excellence now—before week's end
Go Deeper — Premium Action Plan
This episode includes a Premium Action Plan (for members) of Bold Encounters Club.
You’ll get a simple, step-by-step way to practice elite appreciation, build trust through one measurable sacrifice, and turn “great work” into repeatable culture—not just a rare personality trait.
Kevin Ames
Founder, Ames Leadership Institute
Leadership researcher, speaker, and executive coach
Known for practical frameworks on trust, appreciation, and performance
Works with leaders to turn recognition into real results
Moments to Revisit
• The “gentleman’s club” jacket story reveals so much...
• What thinking, “Nobody cares about their work …” creates.
• “Eight out of ten… live in a recognition vacuum." Why it matters.
• The friendship built through doing meaningful work together
• “You only get trust when you’re trustworthy or sacrifice.”
Final Thought
Organizations don’t become “the best” because they claim it. They become the best when individuals inside them decide to be extraordinary...and recoginze the extraordinary. When leaders make people feel seen, great work becomes worth doing.
More
Great work happens when you trust then notice exceptional cooperation and team leadership: “We value your work because you are valuable to all of us.” “Shhh. Until someone values me, I’ll just take my paycheck.” “One only gets trust with trustworthiness or sacrifice for others.” What changes when recognition becomes a habit is surprising… See BoldEncounters.TV. Episode 2 with Kevin Ames goes beyond appreciation as a leadership idea and turns it into something concrete: the difference between workplaces where nobody cares about the work—and workplaces where people become the kind of professionals who naturally do great work. Kevin and Mark contrast two unforgettable service experiences, then connect the deeper thread: trust is often built faster through sacrifice than through speeches, policies, or “programs.” Inside This Episode • Two radically varied “great work” events—and their cause • Why people don’t do great work if nobody cares about them • How sacrifice builds instant trust faster than anything • Why most people live “in a vacuum of appreciation" • One way to appreciate excellence now—before week's end Go Deeper — Premium Action Plan This episode includes a Premium Action Plan (for members) of Bold Encounters Club. You’ll get a simple, step-by-step way to practice elite appreciation, build trust through one measurable sacrifice, and turn “great work” into repeatable culture—not just a rare personality trait. Kevin Ames Founder, Ames Leadership Institute Leadership researcher, speaker, and executive coach Known for practical frameworks on trust, appreciation, and performance Works with leaders to turn recognition into real results Moments to Revisit • The “gentleman’s club” jacket story reveals so much... • What thinking, “Nobody cares about their work …” creates. • “Eight out of ten… live in a recognition vacuum." Why it matters. • The friendship built through doing meaningful work together • “You only get trust when you’re trustworthy or sacrifice.” Final Thought Organizations don’t become “the best” because they claim it. They become the best when individuals inside them decide to be extraordinary...and recoginze the extraordinary. When leaders make people feel seen, great work becomes worth doing.