Making Leadership Visible.
The Real Prize in Recognition, Part 2
by tom on March 9th, 2012
In Part 1, we advocated that the most impactful program architecture features challenging performance criteria that allow all employees to be eligible.
Here’s Part 2: The real power of an informal mechanism is elevated when the random or scheduled presentations are personally delivered by the CEO and members of the senior leadership team! When you, as the employer, start showing that you’re going to reward good work at the time, and not just according to a calendar, employees are inspired to be thanked by you again! This leads to increased productivity – all because employees know that the “big boss” values their work. Leadership approval from someone held in high esteem is inspiring.
These types of employee performance awards can be a variety of physical mementos and, this is important, they do not need to be expensive tokens of appreciation. The key is that the token is not token. What I mean is that it is important to pre-design a set of custom crafted mementos that are symbolic of the behavior or achievement – and, that they allow for progressive stages of improvement
In some cases, just a simple pat on the back and “job well done” are enough to remind employees that you care. Really, employees just want to know that what they’re doing is being noticed and appreciated by those above them. Letting them know you were impressed by the way they just handled a particular customer complaint or helped a customer find a certain product really does mean a lot to employees.
Formal programs to award employees for outstanding performance are a great way to boost productivity, and profits! These recognition programs always give employees a fun and exciting goal and incentive to look forward to, and all companies should include some sort of formal recognition program into their personnel policy. But, formal programs aren’t the only way to reward employee performance and often, it’s those small gestures just to say ‘thank you’ that really mean the most.
Tags: caring leadership, employee inspiration, gratitudePost Categories: Leadership & Leaders Power of Applause
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