I had a very interesting conversation recently with a friend of mine who was looking to change jobs. His reason for leaving might surprise some, but not me. He said he didn’t feel appreciated and couldn’t remember the last time anyone praised him for his efforts. While money certainly is important, study after study shows that appreciation is what people really crave.
Showing appreciation for our workers is simple. However, it must be sincere. Below are three ways to make sure your effort to recognize your staff is genuine.
1. Be specific. Single out specific behaviors so the employee will repeat them. Remember, recognized performance repeats itself. “Great job” is too general and sounds phony. Also, specific praise is a great way to communicate expectations.
2. Be timely. Praise people as close to the performance as possible. If we want people to repeat their performance, it makes little sense to wait. Besides, if you put off the praise, you might forget. And make sure you do it in person. Congratulatory emails are OK, but for most employees, nothing beats seeing their boss’s face when hearing good news.
3. Be public. People are justifiably proud of their accomplishments and want everyone to know how hard they worked. Plus, by praising people in public, you are sending a message to others that you will gladly recognize them if their work measures up.
A pat on the back for a job well done is an investment that costs nothing, but it’s one that pays tremendous dividends. Give it a try; I think you will like the results.
Dan Monaghan is the director of Training at the Manufacturer & Business Association.
With more than 15,000 participants trained, the Manufacturer & Business Association is the leading resource for professional development and computer training in the area. For more information, please contact me at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or dmonaghan@mbausa.org. I also encourage you to visit the Association’s website, www.mbausa.org, to learn more about our upcoming offerings.
