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You are here: Home / Leadership / Giving Praise That Sticks: Going Above and Beyond ‘Good Job!’

Giving Praise That Sticks: Going Above and Beyond ‘Good Job!’

September 18, 2017 By Lynn Varacalli Cavanaugh

As a manager, you know praise is a powerful motivator. Maximize it by taking your recognition efforts to a whole new level with these powerful but subtle ways.

Be genuine

Praise just for the sake of praise isn’t genuine. If you aren’t genuine, you lessen the impact it leaves, because everyone can tell your heart isn’t it.

Give yourself a few minutes to think before you praise the employee. What really stuck with you? What did the employee excel at? What did the employee do or say that made you smile and think, She/he’s got this!

Also, let the person know what other people said about working with him or her: The customer said he loved working with you or Accounting said you jumped at the chance to help.

Give constructive criticism later

A trap many managers fall into: Offering praise with a side of constructive feedback: You did a great job handling that customer’s complain, but next time ….

All the person hears is what he should have done, rather than what he already did. Offer praise and recognize the good deeds now. Later is the time to address any improvements.

Go hunting

It’s human nature – we’re programmed to look for issues and problems. Instead of keeping an eye out for bad things, flip it and try to catch employees doing good things. It’ll improve your relationship with your team and motivate employees to do even better.

Surprise!

Here’s something that’ll mix up the next praise you give: Surprise your employees with unexpected recognition.

Receiving surprise praise is so much better than winning Employee of the Month. Nothing leaves a bigger impact that a surprise visit from a higher-up thanking an employee for a job well done.

Create the culture

Take a look around your office: Is it a “recognition culture?” Do people often bring forward examples of outstanding action? If not, it’s time to start one.

Before your next meeting, ask everyone to bring an example or two of a co-worker they praised for something that week. Even if it seems a little forced in the beginning, people will adapt and look forward to it.

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Filed Under: Leadership

About Lynn Varacalli Cavanaugh

“An important attribute of success is to be yourself. Never hide what makes you, you." -- Indra Nooyi, Chairman and CEO, PepsiCo

As editor-in-chief of Woman’s Own and American Woman magazines, I have championed the personal and professional development of women for years. I started my career unsure of my own path and abilities, but I always had a natural curiosity and an interest in words and writing. When selected to launch American Woman as editor-in-chief, after a string of editorial jobs, I was thrilled—and terrified at being responsible for a brand new venture. All I could do was my best, based on my instincts and years of experience. American Woman was a success, offering me things I hadn’t achieved before—the confidence to do public speaking and a journalism award (Exceptional Merit Media award from the National Women’s Political Caucus & Radcliffe College). I hope my insights, now as an editor for Progressive Women’s Leadership, will help you on your own journey to career success.

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