Page 110 - The Voice of Authority

Money is only one kind of reward. Other rewards in-
clude verbal pats on the back, leadership roles, increased
responsibilities, reporting lines, recognition in front of
customers and colleagues, satisfying work, visibility with
important people, prestigious job titles, opportunities to
work with and learn from more skilled people, opportu-
nities to interact with more interesting people, travel, rest
from travel, sabbaticals, training, or publication of ideas in
white papers, articles, or books.
Let people know that they can count on you to notice—
every time—and reward them consistently according to
contributions that matter the most. Communicate appre-
ciation and recognition by your rewards.

Live Your Lines
Embody your words. Demonstrate your values. High Point
University (www.highpoint.edu), a small boutique college
in High Point, North Carolina, with about 3,000 students,
understands the concept well. In fact, University President
Dr. Nido Qubein set about to completely revamp the im-
age and physical landscape of the school by rewriting the
mission statement of the university when he took the helm
in January 2005. Their mission statement now reads, “. . .
Every student receives an extraordinary education in a fun
environment with caring people.”
To live those lines, here’s what he set about doing in the
first 18 months there. First, he wants students and parents
to feel welcome on campus. That welcome begins as soon
as prospective students and their parents first visit the
campus. The visiting student’s name appears on the park-
ing sign as he or she pulls into the campus parking garage:
“Welcome, Susie Smith.” Prospective student and parents
get ushered to the president’s office, where they meet Dr.

98 The Voice of Authority