Do you make showing your appreciation to staff a priority, or do you let it slide? Research conducted by Kouzes and Posner confirmed what many effective managers already know: people work harder when they feel valued and appreciated.
But how can a manager with no control over salaries show appreciation? Here are three of my favourite ideas adapted from one of my favourite authors, Rosabeth Moss-Kanter:
- Give the gift of time by extending a deadline, cancelling a meeting or letting people off work a little earlier than normal.
- Take on one of your staff’s less pleasant tasks for a day. This simple exercise shows that you care in a way that has a real and tangible effect.
- Remove an unpopular rule, such as a dress code, for a day.
I would be interested in hearing your ideas.
Whatever form of appreciation you choose, it is important that you:
- Always explain what the other person did that you appreciated
- Only show appreciation for behaviours you truly want to see more of
