Do you give recognition when deserved? (132-5)

An effective leader helps their team to experience the relationship between their contribution and their compensation. Read Proverbs 3:27.

“When it is in your power to act” (v. 27), effective leaders “Do not withhold” “…good from those who deserve it.” These short statements contain three elements that every leader must understand to be effective in their leadership.

First, if you have the authority to give recognition you need to be responsible to act when someone on your team deserves to be recognized. This means thinking of your team’s needs, observing closely who is achieving, and taking action to insure proper recognition is given.

Second, the most effective recognition is given as soon as possible after their performance. Delayed recognition is not effective and may be received as a requirement of your job rather than recognition for them. Even grouping times of recognition denies your teammate full benefit of their moment in the spotlight. If your company policy requires grouping of recognition it is easy to lavish public praise on your teammate at the time of their performance and make the ceremony the formal moment to receive the certificate or commendation.

Third, give recognition only when it is deserved. Your team is smart and intuitive. They can spot the real thing and discern flattery, favoritism, or recognition that is used for manipulation in a heartbeat. Wise leaders develop criterion for recognition. For example:

• There should be recognition for expected performance i.e. the certificate for serving five years or the gold watch at retirement (does that tell you my age?).
• There should be recognition for going beyond expected performance i.e. putting in the extra hours at an audit or for a computer software conversion. This may be a thank you in front of their peers or acknowledgement through a day off with pay.
• There should be recognition for achievement way over and above normal expected performance. This should be reserved for truly heroic acts. The military is a good model to use as you develop your criterion for truly special recognition. The military awards medals for varying levels of performance above and beyond normal expectations and they range from a combat ribbon for serving in a war zone to the Medal of Honor. You probably won’t have a “medal system” in your business but this is the right place to use public ceremonies, bonuses, and promotions.

My mom had a thousand sayings and one of those expressed the importance of recognition; “Recognition is something babies will cry for and grown men are willing to die for.” The relationship between contribution and compensation is so important that it would be wise to memorize Proverbs 3:27, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.”