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They're Absolutely Free and Worth A Fortune!
| Guest post by: Clive Littin |
Article Overview: Most managers understand the importance of giving their employees recognition and rewards, but when it comes to actually doing so, they’re often lost for words or ideas. Clive Littin has some practical ideas for you to copy.
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They're Absolutely Free and Worth A Fortune!
One day I walked into a local shop to buy some curtains.
I announced my entrance with the words: “Good morning ladies, ow are things?”
Wendy the manager piped up: “Wouldn’t mind a raise!” I smiled at her and said:
“Wendy, what would you really like? (I’d been reading the surveys you see)
“Well a ’thank you’ from the boss would go a long way’ was her immediate reply.
Recognition and rewards are consistently found to be among the most powerful of all motivators for employees at any job level.
In fact, when employees are asked to describe their most satisfying experiences at work, they frequently mention situations in which they received recognition and rewards for their performance.
When managers are skilled in providing this type of encouraging feedback, their employees typically reward them with increased productivity, commitment, and overall performance!
For me, some things register as important depending on who’s saying it. So when Sam Walton, founder of the Walmart empire, says something, I pay attention. When Sam says: “They’re absolutely free and worth a fortune”, of course I want to know what the heck he’s talking about.
I found the source of this quote in the middle of his ‘Ten Rules For Building A Successful Business” It’s in Rule #5: ‘Appreciate everything your associates do for the business. A pay cheque and a stock option will buy one kind of loyalty. But all of us like to be told how much somebody appreciates what we do for them. We like to hear it often, and especially when we have done something we’re really proud of. Nothing can quite substitute for a few well-chosen, well-timed, sincere words of praise. They’re absolutely free - and worth a fortune.’
I like to think his use of the word ‘fortune’ includes not just good business but good relationships. A successful business rises and falls on the value of the relationships in it.
Efficient systems without good people running them will eventually break down. Commercial history is littered with such stories.
What if Sam is right? What if ‘a few well chosen words of praise’ turn out to be the very best motivators for engagement, performance and loyalty? Well actually, nearly all the surveys reveal that this is so! (The one’s I’ve seen anyway.)
Am I saying that showing appreciate is more important than money? Yep, that’s right.
That’s what I’m talking about. It’s no secret that entire industries like fashion, jewellery, cosmetics flourish fabulously because they are built on our deep desire to be noticed and appreciated. I have a friend who spent $800 on a bra and thought nothing of it. She was proud of herself and she sure got noticed!
The quickest way to annoy or upset someone is to ignore them. My mother taught me that when I was a child. Catholic kids got taunted in those days. I can remember her saying: “Just ignore them dear and they’ll go away.” She was right.
The opposite of ignoring is noticing. So I’ve invented a mantra that I boast about the place: ‘Gratitude is the glue of connection.’ Showing my gratitude(aka appreciation) lets people know I value them and what they do for me. Recognition is the name of the game. I recognise and acknowledge that you have made a contribution to my life (my business) and I want you to know that I have noticed and genuinely appreciate it. I don’t want you to feel ignored and go away.
These days we live under the constant stress of trying to achieve more, achieve it faster and often with fewer resources. As a result our work is strained, our relationships are strained, our sense of connection is stretched and weakened.
Challenging times provide us with an opportunity to discover the real value of recognition. These are fiscally challenging times. So let’s revisit the value of letting each other know we appreciate them.
Are you experiencing a little ‘disengagement’ at work - or at home for that matter? Feeling unappreciated is awful. If a child feels that you are not paying attention they’ll sure let you know! Adults are no different. Noticing and expressing appreciation dissolves discontent. Test it. See for yourself. It works wonders because it is so fundamental to our human nature. Mother Teresa famously said: “There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.” Quite surprising when you know her story of poverty.
When Tim(36) married three years with one small child told me his marriage was breaking down I asked him: “When did you last say something nice to your wife?” He looked puzzled and said: “Like what?”
Here’s a handful of ‘like what’s’. Here’s how to put into simple words your acknowledgement and appreciation:
“Hey, thanks for that.”
“You’re always so thoughtful.”
“I like what you’ve done.”
“Thank you.”
“You’ve done more than I expected.”
“I really appreciate the way you...”
“Thanks for taking an interest.”
“Gosh, you were quick!.”
“It looks great.”
“Thanks for doing that for me.”
“You look great.”
“Thanks, that was nice.”
Almost embarrassingly simple. However, it feels like most of the people I meet casually every day behave as though they’ve never learned the word ‘thank you.’ In my view, nothing beats the lasting value of an authentic ‘thank you.’ I saw a headline the other day: “The path to success is paved with thank you’s” Have you ever thought of building a genuine ’thank you’ culture in your business or family? Imagine how encouraged everyone would feel. I think we really do want to please each other, but we need our goodwill to be acknowledged and valued.
Clive Littin is a professional speaker, life coach and trainer. He is passionate about promoting acknowledgement and appreciation in the workplace. His latest book is called “How To Appreciate Your Way To Fame and Fortune” and is available here:
http://clivelittin.com/Appreciation.pdf
Clive also specialises in 80/20 Coaching and workshops. You can contact him here: speaker@clivelittin.com
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About the Author: Clive Littin RSS for Clive's articles - Visit Clive's website Clive Littin is a teacher, trainer, spiritual guide, personal and business Coach. He's been in the field thirty years. He makes a point of keeping his teaching practical, real and simple. Clive's passion is in giving support to human relationships. Both in the home and the work environment.
His theme is 'ENGAGEMENT'. It is engagement that is the glue of every relationship he says. Clive has just completed a three year project on Employee Engagement and has put together a powerful presentation called: 'Elevate Employee Engagement'. If you'd like to know more, drop him a line: http://www.clivelittin.com/elevate
Clive also offers you a complimentary report: "77 Ideas for Recognition & Reward of Your Employees."
Click here to visit Clive's website   Making It Happen |
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