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Become an Effective
Manager by Authentically Acknowledging
 One
of the most powerful attributes of an effective manager is
not something you can learn in management courses. It's the
ability to genuinely recognize and acknowledge team members
for a job well done.
You may be thinking, "Of course you can learn that, I saw a
whole book on 1001 ways to reward and recognize your team."
And you're absolutely right, but the keyword I'm focusing on
is ‘genuinely'.
Have you ever had someone say, "Sorry" and they may as well
not have bothered because it was the most inauthentic
apology you ever heard? In fact it wasn't an apology at all;
it was just a word without any feeling to support its
meaning.
Authenticity can't be taught, it's a personal attribute that
comes from within. But even if you're on the ‘cold fish'
side there are certain things you can do that make a
difference and don't cost a cent!
*** 5 Ways to Acknowledge Your
Team Members
1. Be a promoter.
If your team, or someone in it, has done a great job, let
others know about it. If there is a company newsletter use
it to showcase their accomplishments. This can be work
related or personal. Bill had an employee who made it to the
over-50 ice skating finals; he asked her for a picture of
her on the ice and commended her in the next newsletter.
2. Spend $15 and buy a cake.
I think we need more celebrations in our lives. We spend so
much time doing, doing, doing that we need take a breath to
acknowledge what we've done! Have a morning tea to say,
"Thanks for your hard work." And have a conversation that
doesn't revolve solely around work.
3. Care about the person, not just
their work.
One of my colleagues was going in for dental surgery. I
wasn't in the office the day before her appointment so I
sent her a text message to tell her I was thinking about her
and wish her good luck. Well you would have thought I'd
given her a million bucks. She was so chuffed that I'd not
only remembered, but also taken the time to send her a
message.
I'm not saying to delve into their private lives but if
they've been sick, ask if they're better now; if it's their
birthday wish them many happy returns and ask how they're
celebrating; if they returned from vacation, ask how it was.
4. Give genuine compliments from time
to time.
David was a manager his team adored and it was easy to
figure out why. He authentically acknowledged his colleagues
constantly. He'd send an email, trumpet your horn to others
and say it to your face. It made people absolutely glow.
No need to gush, but a simple, "Marcia, that presentation
you did was absolutely fantastic. You really excited the
team and I can't wait to put the new system in place. I've
got so many ideas on how I can finally get the information I
need."
5. Throw a "Please" and "Thank you"
their way.
I'm appalled at how many people have forgotten their
manners. I was at the bakery and the customer next to me
said, "Give me two loaves of bread." I felt like screaming,
"PLEASE!"
My memory floated back to childhood with the rhyme, "Gimme,
gimme never gets, don't you know your manners yet?"
It's not hard to be decent.
And remember, if you want it your words to have impact, say
them with heart.
Click the
following link if you would like to jump-start your
management, team leader or supervisor career and uncover the
7 Super Success Secrets to Become a Manager even if you have
no management experience.
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