Last week, I discussed the importance of recognition as a skill that is essential to significant leadership. In fact, celebrating the results of others is number eight in The Nine Essentials of Significant Leadership. So, I highlighted the importance of timeliness, specificity, personalization, and sincerity. This week, I want to give you just a couple more aspects of recognition that make it as meaningful as possible.
Recognition should be consistent. Make sure that recognition is distributed fairly and consistently among all team members. Avoid playing favorites or singling out only a few individuals. Consistent recognition fosters a positive team culture where everyone feels valued.
Don’t be afraid to mix it up a little bit. Variety in recognition keeps it fresh and engaging. Explore different ways to recognize and appreciate your team. This could include verbal praise, written notes, small tokens of appreciation, or even team celebrations. Mixing it up prevents recognition from becoming routine and ensures it remains meaningful.
Make it public when possible and appropriate. Public recognition can be a powerful motivator. The only caveat to that is if a team member is profoundly introverted and would choose to not be recognized publicly. Otherwise, consider acknowledging team achievements in team meetings or company-wide communications. Public recognition not only celebrates individual efforts but also reinforces a sense of belonging and pride in the team’s accomplishments.
Encourage peer-to-peer recognition. Recognition should not be a one-way street or just come from above. Encourage an environment where team members praise their peers and can also recommend their peers for recognition. This creates a culture where team members appreciate and support each other, strengthening the bonds within the team.
Make it universal. Ensure that all team members have equal opportunities for recognition, regardless of their role or seniority. Don’t forget the cleaning crew or the interns. Recognizing contributions at all levels of the organization reinforces a sense of equity and fairness.
Lastly, recognition should be an ongoing practice, not a one-time event. Work hard to cultivate a long-term perspective on recognition, consistently appreciating your team members’ efforts throughout their tenure. Recognizing achievements over time builds a strong foundation of trust and loyalty among your team.
Read Lauren’s Whitepaper on The Nine Essentials of Significant Leadership.
