High-Impact Recognition

Recently, I worked with a manager who wanted to build greater rapport with her team. I gave her an assignment. I asked her to think about what was unique about each team member, how did they contribute to the work the team did, what did she most value about each individual’s role within her organization?

She got back to me with her list. She had put a lot of though into it. One employee was great at relieving group stress by lightening things up. Another had a gift for organizing the work environment. A third was superb with difficult customers.

Her next assignment was to think of a symbol for each trait or behavior. These symbols should be something she could purchase for a few dollars: a puzzle for solving challenges, a silly mask for bringing humor to the workplace, a slinky for flexibility.

She made her list, shopped for and found appropriate items, then presented them at a meeting. She reported back the following:

This exercise made her think about what was valuable about each person and increased her appreciation of the work they did.
At the end of her presentation, she said, “I hope you all know how much I value you.” One member of the team spoke up. She said, “I do now.”

Want to build rapport? Do this exercise. Make a list of your employees. Note what is unique about each: characteristics, valued behaviors, specific ways in which they support the team. Once you have completed the list tell them what you value. You can do this a bit at a time, one on one or in team meetings, or you can go bigger and flashier and do what this manager did. Either way the payoff is worthwhile.

Author Cindy Ventrice is a management consultant, speaker, and workshop leader with over 20 years of experience. She focuses exclusively on helping organizations improve operations, products, and services by improving workplace relationships and employee morale. Her book, Make Their Day! Employee Recognition That Works, is available from every major bookseller.

For permission to reprint this article or to learn more about coaching, workshops and presentations, you can contact Cindy at 831-476-4224 or cventrice@maketheirday.com.

Coaching
Want help determining the best way to show your team how important they are? Coaching can offer you a fast and effective way to achieve the results you want. Click here or more information. Cindy Ventrice has coached managers, from team lead to Senior VP, working in 14 countries, who wanted to improve productivity and reduce turnover. She helped them achieve results. She can help you too.

Remember, your investment in employees pays compound interest. The returns build over time. You reap the rewards in terms of improved commitment, quality, and interest in your organizations success!

Tips

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“These tips are tremendously helpful. They serve as reminders of the value of regular recognition; they inspire good practices; they broaden one’s repertoire of “tools”; and the tips are easily shared with others.” Blanche Staton, MIT

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