Truemag

  • Newsletters
  • Thought Leadership
  • Mobility
  • Safety
  • Work Trucks
  • Videos
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • Media Kit
  • Who We Are

Give Praise and Recognition

By Mike Cieri, MSIR, Vice President of Mardac Consultants

Last month, we looked at ways to correct behavior effectively.  Now let’s look at the importance of recognition and praise. If we want to be assured that certain behaviors will continue, we need to identify and reinforce that behavior with praise.

A survey by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources found that recognition activities contributed significantly to employee job satisfaction. Most respondents said they valued day-to-day recognition from their supervisors, peers, and team members. Other findings from the survey include:

  • 68% of the respondents said it was important to believe that their work was appreciated by others.
  • 67% agreed that most people need appreciation for their work.
  • 63% agreed that most people would like more recognition for their work.
  • Only 8% thought that people should not look for praise for their work efforts.

 

The question is, what is the proper mix of positive versus negative (constructive criticism) comments?

Zenger & Folkman’s research shows that the average ratio for the highest-performing teams was 5.6 (that is, nearly six positive comments for every negative one). The medium-performance teams averaged 1.9 (almost twice as many positive comments than negative ones.) But the average for the low-performing teams, at 0.36 to 1, was almost three negative comments for every positive one. Thus, to have an average performing team, you need at a 2:1 ratio.

Giving praise and recognition doesn’t have to take a lot of time or be expensive. What it needs to be is specific and as soon as possible to the event. For example, “I really liked the way you helped that customer through their issues by listening and giving them alternatives.” Rather than, “Great Job today!”

Below are some suggestions for giving praise and recognition.

  • Emphasize achievements rather than failures and celebrate the successes publicly. If it’s not delivered publicly, the recognition loses much of its impact on the individual and organization.
  • Verbal rewards are cost effective and easy
    • When you see it, say it.
    • Write a Thank You card.
  • If possible, everyone values some extra time off
  • Gifts or gift certificates are always nice
  • Travel or a chance to attend a conference is also a way to recognize peak performers

 

There are many more examples you can use to recognize your associates. It doesn’t have to cost a lot to do it.

“I can live for two weeks on a good compliment” – Mark Twain

About the author:

Mike Cieri, MSIR, is Vice President of Mardac Consultants and been in the Human Resource Management field for over 20 years. During this time he has held a variety of management positions, including several years on the executive management team of a large corporation as Vice President of Human Resources and Safety, as well as Vice President of Operations.

Jan 8, 2017Janice
Continuous Improvement in 2017BMW and Intel to Bring a Fleet of Self-Driving Cars to the Road by the End of 2017
Recent Posts
  • Hyundai Shows Robotic EV Auto-Charger in Action
  • WIFM Profile: GMs’ Jennifer Costabile Stresses the Importance of Mentorship and Candor
  • Safe Driving: The Only Sure March Madness Pick
  • FMW Brand Acceleration: Meet the Fleet Marketing Experts at NAFA I&E
  • Six Tips to Successfully Hire Qualified Drivers in a Hyper-Competitive Market
  • 2023 Work Truck Week: Robust Interest in EV Fleets at Indy Event
  • DriverCare Webinar Series: How to Self-Fund Your Fleet Safety Program
  • Eric Attias Joins Holman as Canadian VP of Sales
  • Immerse Yourself in the World of Fleet at NAFA I&E
  • FMW: New Branding and Marketing Support for Fleet Product and Service Providers
ASSOCIATION NEWS
WIFM Profile: GMs’ Jennifer Costabile Stresses the Importance of Mentorship and Candor
Immerse Yourself in the World of Fleet at NAFA I&E
AFLA Learning Webinar: Diversity In Fleet
Open the Door to Success by Becoming NAFA Certified
WIFM Profile: Holly Vollant of Holman Remains a Perpetual Pupil
NAFA Appoints 2023 Board of Directors
Our Industry Associations Deliver Great Value!
TECHNOLOGY
Tesla Finally Starts Rolling Out Full Self-Driving Beta v11
Electric Car Prices Are Coming Very Close to Gas Car Prices
Detroit Mayor Announces the City’s First Fully (EV) Fleet at Municipal Parking Department
Artificial Intelligence Used to Reduce Traffic Congestion
The Future of Automotive Data Collection and Safety: Tires Take Center Stage
Whether EV or ICE, Today’s Vehicle Tech Presents New Challenges for Collision & Repair Shops
Will Self-Driving Cars Solve Our Traffic and Street Safety Problems? A Tech Historian Says No
CONFERENCES & WEBINARS
FMW Brand Acceleration: Meet the Fleet Marketing Experts at NAFA I&E
2023 Work Truck Week: Robust Interest in EV Fleets at Indy Event
DriverCare Webinar Series: How to Self-Fund Your Fleet Safety Program
Immerse Yourself in the World of Fleet at NAFA I&E
Open the Door to Success by Becoming NAFA Certified
NETS Annual Strength IN Numbers Fleet Safety Benchmark Conference
Our Industry Associations Deliver Great Value!
INDUSTRY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Eric Attias Joins Holman as Canadian VP of Sales
Jarrod Phipps Joins Holman as Chief Information Officer
Open the Door to Success by Becoming NAFA Certified
Wheels, Donlen and LeasePlan Unite Under Wheels Brand Name
NAFA Appoints 2023 Board of Directors
Belgium Fleet & Mobility Specialists TCOFLEET Partner with fleetCompetence Group
Best is Yet to Come: AFLA’s Swingin’ Affair in Palm Springs

Fleet Management Weekly Newsletter Archive
Access to back issues of the FMW newsletter.

FMW Mobility
How mobility is rapidly changing the fleet management landscape.

Newsletter

Subscribe

FMW Fleet Videos
Video clips of industry leaders speaking on a variety of engaging hot topics in fleet.

2014-2020 © Fleet Management Weekly