Recognition at Work Encourages More Positive Behaviors to Follow
When others recognize our contribution and effort, it is one of the most valuable motivators for us. Similarly, as leaders, when you show your appreciation and recognition for others and their efforts at work, you demonstrate the value you put on them and the work that they perform.
In today’s workplace environment, often remote, or at the very least with limited contact, taking time to show recognition is vital.
We recently did some work with a client where lack of recognition demoralized the team and disturbed morale.
I took my cue from that experience for this article today.
3 Things You Can Do to Show Meaningful Recognition
First of all, ACTIVELY LOOK FOR INDIVIDUAL STRENGTHS
Begin with their strengths in mind. Reinforce a person’s core confidence by acknowledging and appreciating what they do well, even with little effort. It may come easy to them. Still, their natural gifting or understanding provides a solid foundation for acknowledgment and makes it easier to talk about future growth areas.
Identifying people’s qualities shows your interest in them personally. People who work with you sense that you value what they bring to the table, and they are more likely to do their best.
It Works Both Ways
Praised behaviors tend to get reinforced. (We have all witnessed the behavior patterns in children whose parents continually acknowledge good or bad behavior. Children live up to the expectation.) Understand in your role as a leader that the more specific you are about the behavior you appreciate in your team, the more you will see it in action.
Telling someone that you like the service that they gave to a customer is too vague. What was the behavior that made you think they did a good job? Was it their attitude under stress, the research they did to find a solution or the skills they demonstrated as a problem-solver?
Next, RECOGNIZE A PERSON’S EFFORT AS WELL AS THEIR ACHIEVEMENT
Babe Ruth – The Guy Who Kept Making Mistakes
Babe Ruth was a flop. He left the home base in shame, struck out, and defeated 1,330 times! That’s a lot of failures.
He also shot that ball out the park, beyond anyone’s ability to stop it, a record-breaking 714 times.
Do you think the coach focused on his strike-outs?
Likewise, find ways to acknowledge the effort people apply to the job. You can demonstrate that you are aware that they are learning and growing in their aptitude. Take advantage of those times to offer some valuable coaching on how they can continue improving.
You Don’t Need To Succeed at the Task To Be A Winner
Make it your mission not only to recognize when they succeed but to acknowledge and even admire their efforts to get better at what they do.
A strong work ethic demonstrates a good attitude. People who are encouraged will go the extra mile for you.
And lastly, BE IMMEDIATE AND SINCERE
Whatever you do, don’t wait for a performance review! Reinforce behavior or attitudes that you want to see more of right away.
It’s Not Only What You Say, But How You Say It
Remember that team members read and hear more than your words. Your posture, tone of voice, and personal attention speak louder than your semantics. Showing appreciation while having your head buried in your cell phone, looking at updates, may not communicate to the listener what you intended.
When showing your appreciation to others, insist that you do so sincerely.
Our body language and tone of voice will often telegraph a message if we are only doing it because we think we have to.
Make sure that you are genuine and authentic.
