It's the ability to genuinely recognize and acknowledge team members for a job well done.



You may be thinking, "Of course you can learn that, I saw a whole book on '1001 ways to reward and recognize your team'". And you're absolutely right, but the keyword I'm focusing on is 'genuinely'.

Have you ever had someone say, "Sorry" and they may as well not have bothered because it was the most inauthentic apology you ever heard? In fact it wasn't an apology at all; it was just a word without any feeling to support its meaning.

Authenticity can't be taught, it's a personal attribute that comes from within. But even if you're on the 'cold fish' side there are certain things you can do that make a difference and most actions don't cost a cent!

** 5 Ways to Acknowledge Your Team Members **

1. Be a promoter. If your team, or someone in it, has done a great job, let others know about it. If there is a company newsletter use it to showcase their accomplishments. This can be work related or personal. Bill had an employee who made it to the over-50 ice skating finals; he asked for a picture of her on the ice and commended her in the next newsletter.

2. Spend $15 and buy a cake. I think we need more celebrations in our lives. We spend so much time doing, doing, doing that we need to take a breath and acknowledge what we've done! Have a morning tea to say, "Thanks for your hard work." And have a conversation that doesn't revolve solely around work.

3. Care about the person, not just their work. One of my colleagues was going in for dental surgery. I wasn't in the office the day before her appointment so I sent her a text message to tell her I was thinking about her and wish her good luck. Well you would have thought I'd given her a million bucks. She was so chuffed that I'd not only remembered, but had also taken the time to send a message.

I'm not saying to delve into their private lives but if they've been sick, ask if they're better now; if it's their birthday wish them many happy returns and ask how they're celebrating; if they returned from vacation, ask how it was.

4. Give genuine compliments from time to time. David was a manager his team adored and it was easy to figure out why. He authentically acknowledged his colleagues constantly. He'd send an email, trumpet your horn to others and say it to your face. It made people absolutely glow.

No need to gush, but a simple acknowledgment should suffice, "Marcia, that presentation you did was absolutely fantastic. You really excited the team and I can't wait to put the new system in place. I've got so many ideas on how I can finally get the information I need."

5. Throw a "Please" and "Thank you" their way. I'm appalled at how many people have forgotten their manners. I was at the bakery and the customer next to me said, "Give me two loaves of bread." I felt like screaming, "PLEASE!"

My memory floated back to childhood with the rhyme, "Gimme, gimme never gets, don't you know your manners yet?"

It's not hard to be decent.

And remember, if you want your words to have impact, say them with heart.