Inspiring Workplaces: Employee Recognition: Where the Rubber Chicken Hits the Road

Published: Wed, 01/29/25

Updated: Sun, 02/02/25

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Inspiring Workplaces
The Way Work Ought to Be!

#1,056 - Jan. 29, 2025

Employee Recognition: Where the Rubber Chicken Hits the Road

In David Novak's book, How Leaders Learn, Novak suggests that recognizing people on purpose (as opposed to accidental recognition...is that actually a thing?) helps create a learning environment fueled by curiosity - one of the key drivers of business success.

As the CEO of KFC, Novak learned that KFC's head of IT was recognizing people in his department by handing out floppy rubber chickens. So, with permission and credit to his IT leader, Novak adopted the idea and began carrying rubber chickens around in his briefcase - not a typical item most CEOs would tote around in their briefcase!

Whenever Novak saw or heard about stellar behavior somewhere he would personally hand out the rubber chicken along with a handwritten note of appreciation.

So, what memorable and fitting recognition gift could you become known for?

Mike's Fun at Work Tip

January 31st is Fun at Work Day! Of course, you should ramp up the fun at work to celebrate this auspicious occasion, however I want to take this in a different direction. I want to remind you that true fun, DEEP FUN, isn't necessarily about doing something silly.

What might be the most fun for you at work is seeing one of your ideas turned into action. Or maybe it's brainstorming creative ideas to launch a new product. Or breaking your sales record from last year. Or wowing a client. Or making someone's day in a quiet but meaningful way.

Deep fun is that magical intersection where fun, meaning, and engagement collide. Deep fun is what gives you a sense of purpose at work and fuels your soul. So, I am curious, what gives you the deepest sense of fun at work? Please hop over to my survey question and I'll report the findings on my blog.

Deep Thought of the Week

"I'm going to put 'FREE WI-FI' on my tombstone so people keep visiting me when I'm gone."

Funny Business

So...does this qualify as the world's longest January?

Yes, February (and seriously, who decided to stuff an 'r' inside February anyways?) is around the corner, so the February theme days are up on the website, including:

February 1: Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day

February 2: World Play Your Ukulele Day

February 7: Work Naked Day (PLEASE get permission from HR!)

February 8: Laugh and Get Rich Day

February 11: Extraterrestrial Visitor Day

February 15: Annoy Your Boss Day (PLEASE get permission from HR!)

February 17: Random Acts of Kindness Day

February 22: For the Love of Mike Day*

February 23: Curling is Cool Day

February 24: Dance Day

February 26: Carpe Diem Day

February 27: Retro Day

*Drop me an email if you need my mailing address for gifts

Cost-Saving Opportunities to
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Toronto: May 25-31

Saint John, NB: June 1-10

England/Wales: June 15-30

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