ABSTRACT
Why give recognition?
We give recognition because we want people to feel appreciated for a specific behavior, and to do that behavior again. A smile and a two-word comment like “Looks good!” can make people want to keep doing whatever earned them that recognition. Takes only two seconds. Want someone to feel part of the team? Recognize them for what they did.
What to recognize.
As you walk through your work area, you’ll see actions (even small ones) that your co-workers are doing to make your project successful. For instance, you’ll see
Someone testing an idea
Someone completing an item from your project log
Someone following a new process correctly
And you’ll hear
Someone telling about a test she performed
Someone telling about an action he took to move the project along
Someone explaining a step in the new process to a co-worker
How to recognize
Recognition is letting someone know that you noticed and appreciated their help and ideas. Just mention that you notice what they’re doing or have done, to move your project along. Just your small quick comment or a non-verbal “thumbs up” can work. Examples of meaningful positive recognition:
“I appreciate your volunteering to test that idea, Dan.”
“Lynn, your suggestion to combine two steps was a process improvement that reduced our cycle time.”
E.P.T.: Make EYE contact, POINT to the behavior or result, and give the THUMBS-UP signal.
“Show and Tell” as a pause to allow for respectful recognition of a person’s action or achievement. Use this pause to:
Tell the person you’re proud of what he or she accomplished
Ask, “Would you tell me/us how you did it?” Then close mouth and LISTEN. Listening is very powerful recognition.
