Rewarding performance as a source of motivation?using common sense

Do you know anyone who doesn?t appreciate being appreciated? Your people may know you appreciate them, but unless you take the time and initiative to tell them, you are missing a real opportunity to motivate positive behavior and increase productivity. Your spouse may ?know? that you love him or her, but (s)he still needs to hear it now and then. Your team has the same need.

Two issues tend to drive our failure to communicate justly deserved praise.
First, we may be inclined to think our expressions to be of little value and second, we may simply forget to do it. We can deal with the first tendency by remembering the platinum rule: Treat people as they would wish to be treated. If you happen to be one who feels little need for recognition, don?t assume that to be true for others.

Address the second issue, by establishing regular times, such as staff meetings, in which you recognize the good work of people in front of their colleagues. Keep in mind that private expressions are great energy and ego boosters. Nothing formal is required. Just a simple statement like, ?Hey, I just wanted to tell you again how much I appreciated your getting that report out on time and with first rate quality. Your action will go along way toward helping us achieve our quarterly goals?

Getting the best from your people doesn?t require a degree in psychology, only a little common sense. Get in the habit, you?ll reap great benefits.