“There are two things people want more than sex and money: recognition and praise” – Mary Kay Ash, founder Mary Kay Cosmetics
BEING recognized for a job done well is something we all crave. We won’t admit it but we want to be praised, appreciated, and acknowledged. (And not so privately, at that). Praising someone should be the easiest, most natural gesture to do at work. Yet, giving it isn’t as simple as it seems.
Praise is a powerful expression any mentor or team leader can give his/her team.
Delivered properly to those who rightfully deserve it can do wonders for drive, motivation, retention, and ultimately… the bottom line.
Here’s what to keep in mind.
1. SHINE THE SPOTLIGHT – Figuratively, of course. Spot your heroes at work. Did someone solve an issue, appease an unreasonable customer at the counter, or successfully launched a team activity? Don’t let their good deed go unnoticed. A written note or a formal letter commending them for a task they’ve done exceptionally well can make a huge difference. Even the act of uttering a “thank you for ______” can mean a lot. Few accomplishments merit a plaque, but recognition for the small deeds (that are actually the big things) goes a long way.
2. DON’T NEGLECT THE UNDERPERFORMERS – We praise top performers because we want them to stay, remain motivated, and not look for recognition elsewhere. But you might be surprised how many stellar performers are in your company’s midst — if given a chance to shine. Turn their performance around by offering mentoring. As kids, we had to fail many times before we learned to ride a bike or even throw a ball. Often what helped us to keep trying is an encouraging adult – a parent, a coach, or a teacher. We may no longer be kids, but the same motivating factor applies.
3. CHECK OUT THE UNSUNG HEROES – The consistent, reliable people at work – those who make sure that things go without a hitch, are also the ones many managers take for granted. To avoid this, strive to create star performers in every role and then ensure that all these roles are performed at high levels of excellence. Be careful to note that even the most junior or those in the lowest salary grades can be recognized. If you see consistency and quality, they deserved to be praised.
Last but not least, HELP THEM SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE. It’s easy to feel lost in a huge organization. Many of those who report feeling “spent” or “burnt” express how insignificant they feel. But those who have been made aware of how their tasks (no matter how small) impact the company, show significant productivity with their work. Not only are they happy doing their job, but what they do impacts productivity quotas and other parameters.
Be part of an organization that recognizes your potential.
Join the NEARSOL family!
NEARSOL is a US-based BPO and service company that offers clients custom-design solutions. It began operations in 2006 and has since gained a strong presence in the Latin American regions, the Caribbean, and the Asia Pacific, winning many awards for quality and service along the way. Most recent of which is its Great Place to Work-Certified™ Recognition.
The Great Place to Work-Certified™ Recognition is a global accreditation that tells stakeholders what employees think of the company culture. In brief, it says a lot about the happiness and productivity index in NEARSOL. The certification process shows that employees are satisfied with the working environment and that they trust the leaders.
Come and discover why our employees think we’re a great place to work!
Visit NEARSOL.US and apply through NIA, NEARSOL’s recruitment chatbot and personalized platform for the application process.
Visit our LinkedIn to learn more about our company and our global footprint./PN
