Soup: A Recipe to Nourish Your Team and Culture

Chapter 42. The Ultimate Recognition Program

Grandma then added, "So, ironically, while your leaders and teams are working so hard to implement all your engagement initiatives, you need to make sure you engage and recognize them with these two simple, powerful words. Make sure you offer a sincere 'thank-you' to as many people as possible during a given day. Walk up to your managers and say, 'I appreciate all you are doing during these tough times.' Tell them, 'You are very important to this company and to your team, and we couldn't save this company without you.' Let them know that you appreciate them. Make sure your managers are doing the same, and encourage team members to appreciate one another. We do it here every day, and it makes all the difference."

"It's the ultimate and best recognition program there is," Peter said. "One thing we studied in business school was the impact of recognition programs, and although companies spend a ton of money on them, most of them don't work as intended. They aren't sincere, nor do they motivate people in the long term. Purpose, meaning, self-reward, and genuine appreciation are the real driving forces behind great work. You can have a much bigger impact and save a whole lot of money by simply sharing your appreciation."

Wow, Nancy thought to herself. Here she had been thinking the answer had to be complicated, but once again Grandma had revealed a simple solution. It was so simple that she and too many others had overlooked it. The key, however, ...