Improving Staff Recognition

As leaders we know that recognizing the positive efforts of our staff are important. Unfortunately too often our attempts at recognition go unappreciated and have limited impact. Scott Mautz, author of Make It Matter: How Managers Can Motivate by Creating Meaning offers the following suggestions for making recognition more meaningful:

Personalize recognition so that you don't trivialize it. Adapt the recognition the the needs and preferences of the individual staff member. 

Get everyone involved. Recognition doesn't have to be from just you as the leader. Recognition from other staff members and guests can be powerful. 

Be frequent but not frivolous. Take regular opportunities for recognition but make sure what you're recognizing really matters. 

Celebrate both the first downs and touchdowns. Certainly celebrate the big accomplishments but don't forget the little victories along the way. 

Deliberate the delivery. How you deliver recognition can be just as important as the recognition itself.