Recognition works hand-in-hand with feedback. The difference is that recognition is an actual reward for positive work performance, while feedback is a quick note on how work performance is progressing. A One Minute Praising is good for both recognition and feedback.
Since a One Minute Praising might be the most effective low-to-no-cost method of recognition, I thought that this would be a good place to repeat the rules:
- Tell people up front that you are going to let them know how they are doing.
- Praise people immediately.
- Tell people what they did right—be specific.
- Tell people how good you feel about what they did right, and how it helps the organization and the other people who work there.
- Stop for a moment of silence to let them “feel” how good you feel.
- Encourage them to do more of the same.
- Shake hands or touch people in a way that makes it clear that you support their success in the organization.
What are some other methods you could use? At my new store, we are instituting an employee of the month program. We are also keeping notes about who does things consistently well and we are going to mail a thank-you note to that person’s house. Each manager has to select an employee over the next two weeks for the thank-you card.
A special honor will be presented to one lucky crew person at the crew meeting on Sunday in front of everyone for outstanding help while the store was short-handed.
There are as many ways to recognize people as there are people. Some pointers on effective recognition (adapted from 10 Steps to Empowerment by Diane Tracy):
- Be sincere.
- Recognize the people as well as the achievements.
- Make sure the recognition is appropriate for the achievement and consistent with recognition for similar achievements.
- Tailor the recognition to the person.
- Make sure the recognition is timely.
