Commemorating Achievements

Commemorating Achievements

A seasoned administrator once told me his "secret of success" when I was just starting out in management. "A word of caution, Bill," he warned. To avoid offending them, I no longer offer praise. affects their confidence to the point where they stop putting in as much effort at work. It is wiser to maintain suspense.

While I listened, I silently thanked my lucky stars that Don was merely a business friend rather than my direct supervisor. I understood, both theoretically and empirically, that managers win over their employees' loyalty by praising their colleagues' achievements.

Criticism, to borrow a well-known comparison, is to humans as salt is to plants. A sincere compliment can nourish a person the way fertilizer might nourish a flower.

After decades of golfing, I can recall the instructors who were the most and least helpful. Those who spent the entire thirty minutes pointing out my flaws you're extending your left arm too far, there isn't enough weight shifting, and the tempo is too fast were the least helpful. Jim, my favorite pro, always focuses on the bright side, saying things like, "You're swinging better than you did last time" or "You struck that shot incredibly square" or "Now that's the way to finish in balance." I naturally wished I had a better swing for Jim.

My father's words of wisdom about accepting praise always come to mind. He oversaw a large department store for forty years. Bill, one thing I have learned is that workers perform better when we let them know we appreciate their performance. He advised me when I accepted my first supervisory post in higher education. Always make sure to give credit where credit is due. That way, they can keep getting better.

I worked as a department head for 23 years, and he always told me to do this or that. Positive reinforcement as basic as "You did a fantastic job drafting those letters" can go a long way toward building team spirit and commitment to the company.

As a trained communicator, I have some advice to offer on the subject of compliments.

Don't try to overstate your admiration or impress somebody. Unlike when we are being merely flattering, when we are giving a compliment, we are giving our genuine opinion. An employee may doubt your sincerity if you tell her that she did a fantastic job with that customer, better than anyone else could have done. I appreciated your assistance with that customer; it's a more credible compliment. I have no doubt that you left an indelible impression on her.

Any employee, just like any friend or family member, can easily spot insincere compliments. The good news is that when you truly believe in the compliments you give, your coworkers will sense it and respond positively.

As a result, we may move on to the second quality of a compliment: it has a credible tone. A compliment like "you are a superb dancer" can make me laugh out loud. My poor wife, who has had to put up with my wayward feet for years, would probably agree.

Acknowledge others when it's appropriate. The time to offer a compliment is right after the action or occurrence that prompted it. Let's pretend that on Tuesday, Dorothy makes her record sale. Her hard work in training has paid off handsomely. Employees, including those in higher positions, recognize her efforts and praise her success with this directive.

You'll be missing out on a great chance to make her day if you don't give her some praise before Friday. She will still be beaming with pride on Wednesday, so make sure you pay her some attention today. What if you... Dorothy, I believe you observed that everyone was pleased with the unique order you fulfilled today. You have come a long way, and it is plain to see.

Another piece of advice is to not go overboard when giving compliments. Overly effusive management praise is a surefire way to lose credibility. A compliment is like the most beautiful flower: the more erratic it is, the more magnificent it is. No, we can't be like my coworker Don and never give any kind of compliment. Yet, sound judgment will lead us to the optimal pace.

Again, compliments should be used appropriately. If you tell Fred late in the day that he is one of your most reliable employees, but then add, "Oh, by the way, Fred, you're supposed to have Saturday off, but I'm going to have to ask you to come in then to help us handle those weekend wedding orders," his appreciation for the compliment may be misplaced. When we give or receive a compliment that comes off as manipulative, we end up looking bad.

It's true that compliments carry some risk. Some workers may think we have hidden intentions, are favoritistic, or are overly sugary. True, it's risky, but it's probably worth it.

You'll see a beneficial effect on morale and productivity once your staff learns to expect and appreciate sincere praises from you and when you're recognized for doling them out sparingly, at appropriate times, and in appropriate settings. Others will actually give you positive feedback for being so supportive and caring.

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