| Recognition is a powerful tool that can encourage and | | | | You want to look for opportunities to recognize others. |
| maintain a new, positive behavior. When you are a | | | | This is what positive force people do. |
| positive force for others you are quick to recognize | | | | The second step to make recognition meaningful is to |
| and destructive criticism is the last thing on your mind. | | | | give a specific example of what you liked. For |
| Often in my management and leadership programs I'll | | | | example you say "Mary, I noticed how you handled |
| ask the participants if they believe recognition is an | | | | that unhappy customer last week and I was |
| important skill to change behavior and show | | | | impressed." When you tell someone specifically what |
| appreciation. After the hands go up and there is | | | | you like it makes recognition more meaningful. It also |
| general agreement I ask the same participants to | | | | increases the chances of them repeating the desired |
| show me when and how to apply recognition. | | | | behavior again. This works well in business and in life. |
| Suddenly the room goes silent. It has been my | | | | The third step is to mention the person's personal |
| experience that less than 20% of managers know | | | | qualities. For example, "Mary, your patience and |
| how to apply this valuable people skill. My question is if | | | | listening skills were obvious, you never lost your |
| these same mangers don't apply recognition in the | | | | temper and focused on your customer." When you |
| workplace how can they do the same at home with | | | | mention personal qualities you make it real. You have |
| their spouses, friends and children? We have | | | | noticed what they did and that is more meaningful to |
| recognition deprivation in our society. Recognition can | | | | the person you recognize. |
| move mountains! | | | | The fourth and final step is to focus on the resulting |
| Some confuse recognition with the rah-rah hype. Hype | | | | benefits. For example, "Thanks to your efforts Mary |
| is when someone continues to back slap with the | | | | that angry customer left as a happy one and will |
| same meaningless comments repeated over and over | | | | come back to us in the future. I noticed and appreciate |
| again. This approach may work for the short term but | | | | what you did." These same four steps can be used as |
| over time is often perceived as superficial, insincere | | | | a parenting skill and there are a variety of situations |
| and can be counter productive. Recognition when | | | | where you can apply recognition. People who are |
| applied properly is a powerful people skill that | | | | positive forces recognize others. Recognition can |
| managers, teachers, parents, spouses and others can | | | | move mountains and is an important skill to being a |
| use to show appreciation, change or re-enforce | | | | positive force for others. |
| positive behavior. | | | | Your son cut the lawn without being asked. Your |
| The first step in applying recognition is to make a | | | | daughter cleaned up the kitchen. Your spouse washed |
| general reference. For example saying, "Mary, you did | | | | your car. Your salesperson exceeded their goals. Your |
| a great job last week." is a starting point. You can | | | | receptionist is always on time. It's easy to take |
| recognize someone when they exceed expectations. | | | | someone for granted. Whatever you take for granted |
| You can recognize someone when they continually | | | | you tend to lose. You want to look for opportunities to |
| meet expectations. You can recognize someone who | | | | recognize others and be a positive force. Thanks for |
| meets an expectation they haven't met before. When | | | | tuning in and I look forward to seeing you in my next |
| you catch your son, daughter, fellow worker, or | | | | article. |
| spouse doing something right let them know about it. | | | | |