Workplace recognition: A little goes a long way
February 13th, 2012
The Harvard Business Review recently hosted a chat (#HBRchat) on the importance of appreciation at work. From @RedBaronUSA , we can see exactly how important recognition and appreciation is: “Bottom line: If your Org does NOT have custom employee recognition strategies in place, your people may soon be employed elsewhere”.
The workplace is changing:
- “People don’t want to work for just a paycheck. They want to know that what they do matters” (@RonAlvesteffer).
- I like $ but prefer personal praise in front of my own group, bigger motivator (@wolfpac_five).
Positive recognition makes a difference:
- By positively recognizing employees they worked harder and achieved greater results.
- We achieved more together due to acknowledgement of efforts.
- Confidence boost that increases productivity.
- When people appreciate my work, I feel harder just so I won’t let them down.
Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
But don’t leave out the critical feedback:
- People agreed that it isn’t avoided, but desired even a requirement.
- Its role should serve as a learning lesson or a developmental opportunity.
And make sure the delivery is correct:
- Even critical feedback can be done in a positive way.
- “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it” is no cliché and rings truer than ever.
- Bogus or forced feedback is obvious and detrimental.
How often is often?
- A little goes a long way and once isn’t enough.
Gems:
- Celebrate what you want to see more of.
- Giving quality positive recognition is to explain what is done well and why it is important.
- One of the things I like about my group is that there is far more positive recognition over negative that I see. (@wolfpac_five)
- Agreed on culture….and it starts at the top!
To see all of the entries: http://hbr.org/web/hbrchat/why-appreciation-matters