This week, we’re privileged to have Jennifer V. Miller return to the Recognition at Work blog to reflect on the gift of giving!  Please make Jennifer feel welcome with your kind comments!

The act of giving someone recognition is a gift that’s in season all year long. And, it’s the gift that truly keeps on giving. Consider this: according to researchers from University of California, San Diego and Harvard, positive behaviors like giving someone praise is a sort of social “contagion”—it’s scientifically proven that one person’s act of kindness creates a cascading effect, prompting others to “pay it forward” and also do good. 

But not all praise is created equal. The value of being recognized is truly in the eye of the beholder, as I wrote in the post Recognition. It’s All Good. Right? Wrong. Some people adore public recognition while others abhor it.  I outlined four types of recognition preferences that people have. Here they are again, along with specific suggestions that will please each type.

1. No-Frills – Cheers Kit note. The small space requires a short and concise note, so you better get to the point quickly!

2. Social – Throw a part in their honor for a birthday, anniversary, or major accomplishment.

3. Low-Key – Show your sincerity by recognizing immediately after the behavior takes place with a handwritten card, a Shout Out in your peer recognition program, or simply stopping by to deliver your kudos in person.

4. Specific – Make sure every recognition gift or award includes a handwritten card that goes into detail about the accomplishment or behavior that’s being recognized. Don’t let an email suffice! A tangible, personal note will be saved and cherished – and make your recognition more effective.

How to know which type of recognition your colleagues prefer? It’s simple: ask them! They may be surprised by your inquiry, but it’s just another way to show that you care about them as an individual, not as a cog in the corporate system.

So go on, now. Take a walk around your office and pay attention to your co-workers. What type of recognition would they best enjoy? And remember, recognition is one present that’s great for re-gifting, time and time again.

------------------- 

Jennifer V. Miller founded SkillSource in 1995, with a mission to help leaders and their organizations “master the people equation”. She shares her thoughts on creating professionalism in the digital age on her blog, The People Equation

One of my favorite parts of the HR and employee recognition industries is networking with other professionals and learning from their experiences and best practices. That’s why I’m thrilled Jennifer V. Miller is our guest blogger today! Jennifer has years of experience training and developing talent, so she understands the value of recognition!

If you’re here at the Recognition at Work blog then chances are you’re on board with the idea that giving people praise for their efforts is a good thing. After all, this is “the place for daily recognition”, right?  So, let’s say that you’re a manager who wants to recognize employee efforts. Or, perhaps you have a peer who saved your bacon and you want to say a heartfelt “thanks!” What’s the best way to get your message across?
 
My answer is, “it depends”. While all people enjoy being recognized, they don’t enjoy being recognized in the same way. So, for some people, the recognition with all the hoopla at the monthly employee customer service awards is just fine. For others, they’d rather have a root canal than have everybody looking at them.

Here’s the thing about recognition: the people giving it have good intentions, but if they don’t know at least a little bit about the recognition recipient, the praise may fall far short of the positive benefits they’d hope for. That’s why we sometimes feel our tokens of appreciation aren’t, well, appreciated.

Before you write off these people as ingrates, consider how their personality may play into the picture. Is the person you praised outgoing and enthusiastic? Or perhaps she’s more reserved. Maybe he’s a hard-charging character, or is an analytical “thinking” type. Paying careful attention to your colleague’s natural preferences for recognition can provide you clues into the best way to show your appreciation.

You might be thinking, “What?! You want me to be an armchair psychologist just so I can say ‘thank you’ to a co-worker?” No, you don’t need to be a shrink; you just need to reflect a bit before you say “thanks”. People tend to prefer recognition that falls into one of four categories:

No-Frills. People with this preference are direct, “straight-shooter” types. This person does not want a 10-piece marching band to announce his or her accomplishment. Keep the praise simple.

Social. For this person, enthusiasm is very important. And if the praise can be done in public, all the better! People with this recognition preference are natural networkers— public recognition helps them feel connected to those who know them.

Low-Key. Some people just don’t want to have a fuss made over them. They appreciate recognition as much as the next person, but it needs to be calm and most importantly sincere. People who prefer this type of recognition can spot a phony a mile away.

Specific. “Nice job” may suffice for some people (think: No-Frills) but that won’t cut it with a person who craves details. People with this recognition preference like to be recognized for specific accomplishments or job skills. The praise doesn’t need to be effusive, just accurately stated.

Giving people recognition lets them know that their work matters. When you do it in a way that honors their own unique preferences, you take it a step further: you show them that they matter.

--------------- 

Jennifer V. Miller founded SkillSource in 1995, with a mission to help leaders and their organizations “master the people equation”. She shares her thoughts on creating professionalism in the digital age on her blog, The People Equation

As the business day approaches its end, hushed whispers bounce around from cubicle to cubicle. “Do you think we’ll get one?” “I heard that we were going to have one.”  4:30 comes and goes… no word, 4:45… nothing. The realization sets in as Baudvillians shuffle papers, finishing their final projects of the day, sighing from the unfulfilled rumors. 4:50, out of the corner of my eye, an email pops up on the computer screen. Casual Day Tomorrow!!!

No email brings greater enjoyment then one proclaiming a Casual Day. Casual Days are cherished events here at Baudville. Rejoicing rushes through the entire building. “Yes! We get to wear jeans tomorrow.”  Being a college student I am personally all for casual dress, so I can’t help but look forward to a Casual Day. For me, Casual Days mean pushing the snooze button 1 extra time.

There are a number of reasons as to why your company can offer Casual Days. Your employees could have achieved a goal of theirs, they might have gone above and beyond by working late, or the company could have had a good sales day. This week several of our teammates were out of the office representing Baudville and Idville at the annual SHRM conference, back at the office, our CEO enticed us with a few Casual Days.

But there was a catch; to obtain our Casual Days we had to wear an “I’m Casual Today” sticker with a creative reason stating why we deserved to be casual. These reasons ranged from I am casual today because: I dominated a project, to I can recite the Jabberwocky passage in Alice in Wonderland. Allowing for lots of conversation and laughter throughout the day, as we read everyone’s I’m casual today stickers.

Casual Days for us are not a day to slack off in our jeans. It is a day when we are appreciated for doing a great job. To keep our morale going, we receive casual days to reiterate the fact that we have been working hard and to keep up the hard work.

As I finish up this blog post its 4:30, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed tomorrow will be day 3 of Casual Days!

---------------------------  

Kendra is the newest Baudvillian. She is currently an advertising intellectual at Grand Valley State University, and is ecstatic about the change of atmosphere as Baudville’s web marketing intern. Watch out because this young professional just touched down at Baudville.

Whew, six weeks into my internship and I am just getting into the Baudville groove! I got my name plate on my cubicle and can finally clear a paper jam in the printer. But I am constantly experiencing new things about Baudville every day. For example do you know how we actually recognize our employees and co-workers?

Last week was a busy week of recognition for the whole company. We had baby showers, birthdays (mine!), casual days, and an entire company meeting. I‘ve never experienced so much celebrating with my co-workers before and who knew it would be such a blast!

I attended my first entire company meeting last week. I know what you are thinking right now, a “dull” meeting cannot include recognition. Absolutely it can and the best part, the meeting becomes exciting! Everyone gathered in a huge room located in our distribution center. Our CEO, Brad Darooge, gave us some encouragement for the upcoming six months and recognized us for achieving goals in the first half of the year.

Next, Cindy, the Human Resources Manager talked about how our Health and Fitness challenge is going thus far. (For those who don’t know, currently we have undergone a “friendly,” 10 week, Health and Fitness competition here at Baudville). On the first day of the competition we all received t-shirts displaying our work out pride. We received new water bottles to stay hydrated. Finally, she opened the floor for employees to share personal Health and Fitness goals. It was a great way for the whole company to encourage and praise people for a job well done.  

Since the whole company got together, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a mini competition. We were given plastic bags, scotch tape, string, and tissue paper. With these random elements we had to cushion an egg so that when it dropped it didn’t splatter everywhere. Whoever kept the yolk in their egg won points for their Health and Fitness challenge team. The absurd concoctions caused a lot of laughter and conversation in the days after.

I also found out this week that birthdays are a huge deal at Baudville. At the beginning of the month, birthday cards get passed from cubicle to cubicle and are filled with special notes or drawings. Then on your birthday, you receive your card with a little present inside. Lastly, you have to choose where your birthday lunch is going to be so co-workers can take you out to celebrate.

These are just some ways we have been recognizing co-workers lately and having fun here at Baudville. Other companies have been doing a great job recognizing as well. Tell me about some big or little ways you’ve recognized your employees or co-workers lately!

-----------------------  

Kendra is the newest Baudvillian. She is currently an advertising intellectual at Grand Valley State University, and is ecstatic about the change of atmosphere as Baudville’s web marketing intern. Watch out because this young professional just touched down at Baudville.

As Baudville’s copywriter, I am responsible for a lot of the words you see in print, online, and in your inbox. Do you know what happens when you write about recognition day in and day out? You sometimes repeat yourself, without even knowing it. (And sometimes fully knowing it.)

When I realize this is happening, I usually try to spice things up a bit by interjecting ridiculous words into our marketing materials. They most often get intercepted and put back into my rotating arsenal of absurdities; but I still keep trying.

The other day, I was making a hard case that “hoopla” is a completely appropriate word to use when talking about trophies and certificates. I lost that negotiation, by the way, but I still stand behind my position. Though, I will admit that it might be a little too informal of a word to capture the sophisticated fanfare of an award celebration.

However, it is definitely not too informal to attach to National High Five Day, which is today—always the third Thursday in April.

Now, you might be thinking: this sounds familiar…

Well, it is, because I have actually written twice about the power of a high five. Once for National High Five Day proper, and once after I received a high five that came precisely when I needed it.

But my timing is perfect on this because, as it turns out, my desire to see hoopla in print and my love of high fives go hand in hand. Here it is, straight from Dictionary.com:

hoop·la [hoop-lah]
–noun Informal
1. bustling excitement or activity; commotion; hullabaloo; to-do.

When someone does something noteworthy at your workplace, it’s not only OK to make a big deal about it, it should be a requirement. It doesn’t need to be an expensive or shiny award. The important thing is that it’s on the spot and meaningful to the recipient.      

So, today, National High Five Day, surprise a coworker (or even a stranger) with a high five for a job well done. You’ll make their day and yours, too.

(Today is also my Birthday today; so, if you see me, you know what to do!)

Looking for other highly affordable (ahem, FREE!) ways to make someone’s day? Check out our free ePraise and Print & Posts!

--------------------------

Allison is a self-proclaimed Copywriting Diva and has the certificate to prove it! She’s been writing for Baudville for two years and has worked in a variety of business settings for more than 17 years. Before becoming a professional writer 10 years ago, Allison worked as a department manager where she used Baudville products to motivate her team. She’s what we call a true believer!