Power of Recognition

Who did you thank or praise for a job well done yesterday? Are you planning to today? We underestimate how great it feels for both parties to recognize good service, support or product. We know we should but not nearly enough of us do it. So what's holding us back?

We are currently living in stressful times. I don't think there has ever been a time in our evolution that someone didn't feel uncomfortable (whether they called it stress or not is a mute point). So we should choose to focus on the good. Perhaps if there is more of us doing so times won't be so stressful or uncomfortable.

How can we bring a little comfort then to life? It's simple. Let people know when they've done a good job. Leonard Lee (as blogged below) insisted in his address to our group this week how important it is to do so. We get caught up in making it something other than a "hey, great job; I appreciate your effort." Here are a five tips for complimenting and recognizing:

Try it on the most simple of tasks.

1. Appreciate swiftness in the coffee line up. ("Thanks for moving this line so quickly")
   
2. Acknowledge a smile ("Great Smile") and see how much bigger it grows when you do.
3. If you detect genuiness in what someone says, ("Thanks for being genuine in your ' have a nice day'") would work.
4. If someone is really listening to what you're saying ("Thanks for paying attention to what I'm saying") would do.
5. Being pleasantly surprised by something is a shoe-in for some praise ("I wasn't expecting that! Thank you!")
   

If the opportunity presents itself, tell a manager or other customers how you've been affected positively. This feels good to do and also makes two others feel good about what they are doing. Consider the affect on other people listening. In the coffee shop line up, even though people are keeping to themselves in their coffee-deficient beings, I bet one or two will perk up when they hear a nice comment being made. Just watch the ripple effect and feel good about being the initiator.

I challenge you to try this at least twice a day.

I'd love to hear about your experience; and I really mean that.