Recognition in our culture has become predictable, regular and boring. Just another to-do task on the list of HR.
This approach seems to lead to a motivated, driven and acknowledged team but it doesn’t. Instead, it so often ends up becoming a breeding ground for office politics and unacceptable approaches.
Though there are few instances where regular recognition works. For instance, when merit trumps bias.
A complimentary practice that may work is to recognise randomly. Yes, the behaviours that you want to encourage amongst your team, the best practices that they are doing, the attempts at making something happen(even if they fail at it!)
Do random acts of recognition.
The closer the recognition is to the act the greater its potency! Not a month later or after a week. Instead, When will now be a good time?
Drop a hand-written note, gift flowers, send out a WhatsApp message on your team group appreciating their effort, a pat on the back will also do. If you want to make it even better then ask them what they’d be the one thing they’d want to have and be their Alladin ka Chirag for once!
Their wishes may be as small as a pencil!
Such recognitions cost almost nothing but have a phenomenal return!
Nipping bad behaviour in the bud is preventive, nurturing good behaviour in the bud is progressive!
Random acts of recognition.
