3 Easy Steps For Offering Positive Recognition

Are you one of these leaders who is confident, self-motivated and doesn’t NEED a lot of “pats on the back” or “atta boy” to know you did a good job?

If so, you may not realize that just because you may not need much in the way of recognition, there are those on your team who do.

It’s important to remember how employee engagement can be boosted by recognition for a job well done. A simple “thank you” or acknowledgement in a public forum is a great no-cost approach that can reap huge benefits!

So why doesn’t everyone do it?

In my experience coaching executives, it typically comes down to leaders not being aware what a positive impact it can have on their team and making time to stop, reflect on the work being done and recognize those who are delivering results.

One technique I love to share with my clients, I learned from Marshall Goldsmith, who is a world-renowned executive coach.

It’s a straightforward three-step process:

Step 1: Make a list of the important people in your life (personally and at work – it’s just as important to show gratitude on the home-front!).

Step 2: Put a tickler on your calendar two days a week to look at that list and think about what each of those people may have done that warrants your recognition and thanks. After you’ve done this for a couple of months, it will become second-nature for you … a new behavior is born!

Step 3: Place a call or write a note to that person to say “thank you” & offer specific details about what they did that was special and deserving of your recognition.

That’s it!

Don’t let the busyness of life get in the way of making time to reflect on the contributions of others. Stop, reflect and give thanks!

Martha Duesterhoft is a Partner with PeopleResults. Follow her on Twitter @mduesterhoft or connect via email at mduesterhoft@people-results.com.