Business Builder Bob - Recognition #2

Here are the first two of four elements of a Best Practice for giving recognition:

First, give the recognition quickly. That is, give the recognition as close in time as you can to the activity or result you are recognizing. There is no rule about how soon, but the sooner the better. You want to provide the recognition while the acitivity is still fresh in your mind and the mind of the individual you are recognizing.

The second and third elements are omitted by many people and therefore, the recognition is not as powerful and meaningful as it can be. The second element is to be very specific about the result you are recognizing. The more specific you are, the more reinforcement you provide to continue the specific practice that achieved the result.

For example, you could say "Nice job yesterday Joe" or you could say "I want to recognize Sally's quick action during the small Hazmat spill we had yesterday. She was obviously familiar with company procedures because she reacted confidently and appropriately. She was able to contain the spill quickly and avoid a far more costly event."

This may not seem important, but it is. In the first case, Joe probably knows you are refering to the spill and will be happy to get the recognition. However, the way Sally was recognized specifically pointed out the results she achieved --saved money, contained the Hazmat event. Sally's recognition also reinforced for Sally and for anyone else who was present, the importance of knowing company Hazmat procedures.

So here's a little trick to put in your head. When you are providing recognition, instead of thinking 'I am recognizing a person', think 'I am recognizing results and reinforcing behavior'. This change in your mental picture of recognition will help you get the second element correct and make your recognition much more powerful.