Many of the coaching conversations I have had in recent months have made it clear that most supervisors and managers don’t come into their leadership roles for the money; they commit to the extra responsibility for the acknowledgment that what they are doing is making a difference in the organization and to the employees, they lead. Rarely are their achievements and successes acknowledged to the point where they feel appreciated by the company’s senior leaders. A lack of acknowledgment and appreciation can kill a company’s culture quicker than a pandemic.
All too often, communication only centers around criticism and only talking to an employee when they do something wrong, etc. These approaches are demoralizing, impact morale, lower motivation, and no one can do their best work or use their brain power effectively under such conditions.
The solution is simple, so simple in fact we spend hours teaching our toddlers to say these “magic words.” But why are they lost in the work world? Some may say lack of time keeps them from saying thank you, or it is just expectations of doing your job and not praiseworthy. Whatever the reason, leaders must recognize the importance and positive impact acknowledgment and appreciation have on their staff.
Last week I met with a former colleague for lunch. He was feeling upset because he had spent countless hours on a project, and when the project was completed, he did not receive the accolades he had hoped for. In fact, all he got in return for his hard work, loyalty, and dedication was criticism for the small, minute things he missed, which could have been overlooked or easily corrected without the criticism. As a result of the criticism, he feels unmotivated to work hard on future projects, and that lack of motivation can impact his team.
When you think about what employees want in the workplace, it often isn’t more money, status, or benefits. It is the appreciation for the time and energy invested in achieving results. This is a two-way street. These magic words can and should be used both ways.
When looking for ways to increase organizational effectiveness in Santa Rosa and the surrounding areas we serve, look no further than these two magic words. As we end the year on a positive note, I want to ask a few questions:
- What are you currently doing to show appreciation for your team?
- How has proper acknowledgment for a job well done positively impacted you in the past?
- What barriers exist to showing your team how much you appreciate the work they did over the past 12 months?
Finally, all of us at The Personnel Perspective want to say thank you for allowing us to support your goals, and we look forward to working with you in 2023 and beyond. We wish you all the best in the coming year.
Founded in 1987 in Santa Rosa, California, The Personnel Perspective is a full-service HR management consulting firm specializing in human resources, leadership development and training, and recruiting. The firm’s core belief is that a company achieves organizational excellence through its people. Contact us to learn more: (707) 576-7653.