Why do people get married? A profound question, with a different answer for each of us. I found mine years ago in a dialogue from the movie ‘Shall we dance’.

Because we need a witness to our lives. In a marriage, you’re promising to care about everything. You’re saying ‘Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it. Your life will not go un-witnessed because I will be your witness’.

Whether it’s a marriage or a company, people want to be noticed. It is a fundamental need of human beings as a social species. We are at our best when we feel included. It gives us a sense of belonging. It is what makes us stick around or go the extra mile.

Noticing people is rarely about big gestures. Say a quick hello with eye contact as you sit beside them for a meeting. Wish them on their birthday (before receiving the auto email for human resources). Ask the new guy how he is adjusting to the new city. Or, remember to enquire about a teammate’s sick parent. It is these small things that make a difference.

It is all about spending those extra moments with them, for them. Without using so many words, telling them that you think of them.

Whether you are just starting out or have reached the peak of your profession, make a habit of noticing those around you. If you want to show people that you value them, start by making them feel seen.

This becomes especially important as you climb up the career ladder. A manager who looks through you, as if you are part of the furniture, is every employee’s worst nightmare.

So, the next time you are walking past a coworker in the sea of cubicles, take a pause and talk for a minute before moving on. You might just make his day and win a supporter for life.