‘No news is good news.’ That’s the old proverb.
As it turns out, no news is actually very bad news for employees.
According to Gallup, you’re about twice as likely to be actively disengaged at work when your manager ignores you than if they focussed on your weaknesses or negative characteristics.
Silence is a breeding ground for ambiguity and people need clarity. They want to know where they stand.
Recognition isn’t just about helping your people feel valued, it’s also about helping them feel seen.
As much as avoiding a difficult conversation is a minor that can become a major, so too is avoiding an opportunity to celebrate someone’s achievement.
Gallup’s research found that “praise and recognition are communication vehicles for that which is deemed important.”
We repeat and replicate what we see recognised and rewarded. So when we celebrate, we communicate. We show people what we value here.
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The old expression ‘If you don’t hear from me, then you can assume you’re doing a good job‘ simply doesn’t apply. People want to hear from you when they are doing something right, not just when they’ve done something wrong.
Reward and recognition doesn’t take long, but it does go a long way.
A question to reflect on:
“How could I be more intentional to catch someone doing something right, this week?”