Inspiring Workplaces: Thanks for the Recognition

Published: Wed, 02/21/24

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Inspiring Workplaces 
The Way Work Ought to Be!
ISSUE 1,009 - Feb. 21, 2024
   
    Giving Thanks for the Recognition 
   










 
I'm just letting you know this, without any expectations, that tomorrow, February 22, is official For the Love of Mike Day. It's a day to honor the 1927 Frank Capra silent romantic drama, but, and I'm just saying, many people have used the day to extend their appreciation to anyone named Mike.

But, I digress.

Let's talk about the importance of thanking the thankers.


A friend of mine, a small business owner who does a fabulous job recognizing his contractors and often surprising them with bonus gifts, complained to me recently that an employee never thanked him after receiving a surprise bonus from him. Not even a quick "Cool, thanks!" e-mail from him. Nothing! Zippo! Nada! 
 
So, here's my simple thought for the week: Are you recognizing the recognizers? As I constantly remind you, the number one reason people say they leave their jobs is because they feel unappreciated, and a whopping 67% of customers stop doing business with us because they feel unappreciated. That's why great organizations build a culture of celebration, recognition, and appreciation. 
 
To help build positive momentum in your culture it's helpful to genuinely recognize the people doing the recognizing! The more employees express their heartfelt gratitude when their employer does something above and beyond for them, the more likely they are to keep doing it! Or heck, even top it next time! And that goes for everyone at every level of an organization! And you know I am excited about this because I've ended every sentence with an exclamation mark! 


Take the time to thank your organizing committee of a special event with a handwritten note. Tell your boss how much you appreciate the fact that she took the time to recognize everyone at your last meeting.
Calgary-based Alpine Tubular even awards Alpine Bucks (gift cards) to recognize employees who do a great job at recognizing other employees to send a message about the importance of recognition.

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    Mike's Fun at Work Tip
 
We used to play Recognition Tag in a workplace where I managed a team of 12 people. Here's how it worked: Someone would phone a teammate and recognize them in some way. That person is now "it" and would have to phone another person on the team, sharing how they were appreciated and passing on a new thank you to the next person. This carried on until everyone on the team had been tagged, with everyone sharing how everyone up to the point of their call had been appreciated by their fellow teammates. 
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    Deep Thought of the Week

"Son, if you really want something in life you have to work for it. Now quiet! They're about to announce the lottery numbers." Homer Simpson
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    Funny Business
 
As I'm in the final editing stages of my latest book I found this very honest book dedication particularly amusing:
 

"To my wife Marganit and my children Ella Rose and Daniel
without whom this book would have been
completed two years earlier." 



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