Workplace Acknowledgment, People Want To Be Seen
Often there is a quest to be seen and to be heard. Have you considered the impact on workplace acknowledgment?
When was the last time you received kudos for a job well done? When was the last time you gave kudos to someone else?
Workplace engagement can be a challenging issue. How people interact, what motivates them and drives them to keep showing up day after day?
It may be some of the simple things that count.
Seen and Heard
It’s common that people want to be both seen and heard. Once in a while, they want to grab the mic and spit out something that is on their mind.
They may be cheerleading change efforts, or they may be complaining and blaming. The culture of the organization will have a lot to do with who gets the mic and when they get it, what they say.
Perhaps the biggest disconnect comes from the boss not knowing the team. The boss brushes past others in the hallway, has a special parking spot, and drives a very expensive car. The boss may also have a different budget for vacations, there is a difference in the food that they eat, and usually the size and location of their home.
People in the field, holding the front line, and getting dirty are people too.
What are you doing to ensure that people are both seen and heard?
Workplace Acknowledgment
Starting a conversation may be a great way to engage. Asking a polite and considerate question may be another. Praising someone for actions above and beyond the call-of-duty works. A simple thank you may be more powerful than you realize.
Leaders move through their day, sometimes with their vision fixed on getting to the other side of the clock. It is true for the front-line and for the C-Suite.
When you acknowledge a co-worker you’ve just created engagement.
It’s an act that is verifiable and seldom forgotten.
Paychecks matter but are quickly forgotten. When you need more engagement you can start but letting people know that they are seen. Ask a question and listen, then they are heard.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
