I recently had the privilege of being the mistress of ceremonies for an industry awards banquet. Afterward, as I was visiting with those who had gathered to chat with me, one woman, clutching her award, said, “Thank you. I’ve never been recognized for anything I do.” I reminded her that it wasn’t me who recognized her for her accomplishments but the industry. Still, the moment got me thinking about how very important it is for leaders to develop the art of recognition. It’s a skill that can easily be overlooked but is indispensable to leaders. Recognizing and appreciating your team members’ efforts and achievements can profoundly impact morale, motivation, and overall team success. So, let’s delve into the essential recognition skills crucial to being a significant leader.
Be on time. Timely recognition is so important for the effectiveness of the accolades. Develop the habit of acknowledging your team members’ accomplishments promptly. Delayed recognition can diminish its impact and leave them feeling undervalued. Recognize and celebrate achievements as they happen to boost morale and motivation.
Be as specific and detailed as possible. Avoid generic praise. Instead, provide precise feedback on what the person or project team did well. Highlighting specific actions or contributions demonstrates that you’ve been paying attention and reinforces the desired behaviors.
Personalize your recognition whenever possible. Every team member is unique, and recognition should reflect that. Take the time to understand each team member’s preferences for recognition. Some may prefer public recognition, while others might prefer a private thank-you note. When you tailor your recognition to individual preferences, it shows that you value and respect each individual team member for who they are.
Perhaps most importantly, be sincere. Sincere recognition is more impactful than superficial praise. Express genuine appreciation for your team members’ efforts. A heartfelt thank-you or compliment goes a long way in building trust and strengthening leadership relationships.
Recognition is a skill that significant leaders prioritize and develop. There should never be a time when one of your team members says, “I’ve never been recognized for anything I do.” Acknowledging their efforts is a simple yet powerful tool in the leader’s toolkit for building a high-performing and engaged team.
Read Lauren’s Whitepaper on The Nine Essentials of Significant Leadership.
