Lean Quote: Providing Praise Pays Off!

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"Research indicates that employees have three prime needs: Interesting work, recognition for doing a good job, and being let in on things that are going on in the company."   —  Zig Ziglar

As a leader, do you consistently acknowledge the accomplishments of others? When recognition is lacking, work efforts can also be lacking. Providing praise pays off!

In a Global Gallup poll of hundreds of organizations and thousands of teams in a variety of industries, 25% of the employees strongly agreed that they had received recognition or praise for doing good work in the last week.  Does that number feel low to you?

The article: From Praise to Profits: The Business Case for Recognition at Work provides many statistics worth reading, but I want to highlight the Five Key Pillars they shared that are required for a successful recognition program:

1.    Fulfilling: It feels appropriate to the accomplishment

2.    Authentic: It feels genuine rather than a formality.

3.    Personalized: It’s the way someone wants to be recognized.

4.    Equitable: It’s about achievement, not favoritism.

5.    Embedded: It’s part of the values and practices throughout the organization.

How is your recognition process? Are the 5 Pillars helpful? Sharing praise will foster a work culture that is positive, motivating, and energized, and will ultimately increase your results.