This post comes from my coaching associate Kate Dwyer. It’s about celebrating what you want to see more of.
Throughout the work week, we often witness each other making an effort that goes above and beyond the usual standard of a job description. It may be a small gesture (over in a heart beat) or it may be one of those bigger, more heroic gestures that makes that person’s day much more challenging. Regardless of the size of the effort, we see someone take an extra step or a giant step on behalf of the whole. Part of great leadership is noticing, and acknowledging.
We all have lots of good reasons we don’t give that most rare reward, acknowledgement. Perhaps we have a meeting to go to, or we don’t want a compliment to go to someone’s head. Maybe we’re concerned they won’t like being the center of attention, or we think they’re too busy right now. The bottom line we miss an opportunity to celebrate great work.
Try to aim for giving more mini doses of positive feedback right when you notice things, in the moment. Monthly one-on-ones, annual reviews, scorecards or periodic evaluations are all valuable formats for giving organized feedback, but they’re not going to put the spring in our step that makes a work day fly by. What gives us that extra boost is knowing that the people we work with pay attention to what we do well. Acknowledging great work, however small, inspires ownership, quality, and endurance.
“Correction does much, but encouragement does more.” Johann Goethe
“Celebrate what you want to see more of.” Thomas J Peters
Kathleen