Human eyes are drawn to mistakes.
Whether it is as simple as not washing your own dishes in the office or as complicated as ruining a whole project operation.
However, when someone does a good or even an extraordinary job, we often forget to acknowledge their work.
While insincere compliments can become a double-edged sword in a business setting, under-acknowledgement can bring disastrous impacts as well, such as low employee satisfaction, low productivity, and unhealthy tension between co-workers.
As leaders, colleagues and staff members, we all need a morale booster once in a while to know that we have done our work right. Here are some simple tips to practice acknowledgement in the workplace:
1. Show you’ve paid attention
No one likes being ignored. A simple comment like, “I understand how you feel,” to a colleague who has been mistreated shows that you listen and respect him.
2. Change ‘you’ and ‘I’ to ‘we
Instead of saying, “So what will you do about the situation?” try offering some help by asking, “Is there anything we can do to improve this?”
3. Offer positive feedback generously
Telling your staff, “Thank you”, “Good job”, “Great idea”, and “Nice one” can boost their working mood exponentially.
4. Use body language when giving acknowledgement
Saying “Good job” to someone while typing frantically on your laptop does not help. The other party needs to see that you really mean what you say. When offering a compliment, look into their eyes, clap, give a firm handshake or smile.
5. Celebrate every success
No matter how small it is, from getting a foot in the client’s door to signing a not-so-important contract, they are still achievements in their own ways.
This article is modified from the Institute of Management training module: Motivating Employees. For more information about the course, please visit our website.