Page 245 - How America's Best Places to Work Inspire Extra Effort in Extraordinary Times

232B RE-ENGAGE

couldn’t be measured. When thinking about the tasks that
are part of any job, ask the following questions:

: Can you count it?
: Can you rank it?
: Can you rate it?

You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is, using
answers from these three questions, to determine reason-
able measures for a job—measures to which everyone can
agree. And once that’s done, you’ve just lost another reason
not to celebrate the successes of those who are truly making
a difference.
All employees deserve to have their contributions ac-
knowledged, not constantly, but meaningfully and sincerely,
especially when their contributions are above and beyond
what is expected. When we notice moments of engagement
and contribution, it takes only five seconds to approach the
employee and say, “I saw what you did, and I just want you
to know I appreciate it.” All the above reasons that manag-
ers fail to recognize, combined, don’t excuse us for not fully
utilizing one of the most powerful motivational tools at our
disposal: giving employees a challenge, helping them suc-
ceed, and then praising or rewarding them for doing so.

: HOW THE BEST MANAGERS PRACTICE DAILY RECOGNITION

Many managers have never been taught the right way to recognize
and don’t even realize that there is such a thing as a right way. But
not knowing gives them pause and reason to fear they could ap-
pear awkward and come across as insincere. Here, in brief, are some
easy-to-follow steps for effectively acknowledging an employee’s
contribution: