I Love It!

I had an employee who had some difficult personal issues. I tried to encourage, help and protect this employee during this time. I often prayed and sought ways to build up his family with God as my guide. One day, this employee handed me a cassette where he had recorded something he and his wife wanted me to hear. It was a busy day and I didn't get to listen until I was on my way home in the car. Out played Ray Boltz's "Thank You". You go a long time as a supervisor with no one bothering to thank you for all the little things you do every day. I simply cried with appreciation at this young family's gesture of appreciation. It was a humbling experience and a good lesson.

We all need affirmation; even the most self effacing. When was the last time you gave your employees a well deserved & sincere compliment on their work? For that matter when is the last time you did the same for your boss? I often heard a supervisor say, "All that touchy feely stuff is just a bunch of hog wash!" Or, "They're getting paid to do a good job, I don't need to hug them!" I noticed some would think compliments were sissy. It wasn't that they didn't appreciate others; they had somewhere been taught it was not tough to express kindness to others. This is a self defeating attitude for anyone who supervises. You do not get the best work and the most loyal employees by only kicking them when something goes wrong and keeping quiet when it goes well.

If your a supervisor who finds it difficult to praise and encourage, there are some little steps you can take that help you get over being uncomfortable. A simple, one-on-one "good job" is a start. Another simple "thanks for your help" is good, too. If you're a person who shakes hands, shake the employee's hand when you say a thanks. If you simply can not look a person in the eye and say something encouraging, send an e-mail or a note and be sure to put a record of the good work in their employee review file and tell them you have.

If a group has done a good job, hold a meeting and tell everyone BUT public praise should always be followed by a one-on-one specific to the individual. This lets them know you recognize their personal contribution.

Do not hand out compliments where it is not warranted. This only diminishes your whole effort and you loose respect. Sincerity and honesty are a priority.

There are many company programs for complimenting employees. These work if they are used honestly and with integrity. They loose their power if they are used to reward favorites, as a means of getting more work from the employees, or as a requirement for supervisors from upper management. Some companies offer monetary rewards for doing a good job. If this monetary reward is part of a project completion program, I am in agreement. I am not in agreement this is good for rewarding a "thank you". To tie money to a thank you usually corrupts the reason for giving the encouragement and the appreciation on receiving the compliment. Although greed is rampant in the work place, most employees still appreciate a sincere personal recognition of their hard work.

We also have the group that feels Christians should not seek praise from man and humbly and happily seek only God's satisfaction in our every deed. This is a true humble spirit and it is Scriptural. If you feel this way, then let this be for you. Seek this only for yourself. It is also Scriptural to not flower others with undeserved and false praise. Scripture does not say hold back appreciation for a job well done. It does not tell us to let our employees be discouraged. Jesus often used words of encouragement, Paul often encouraged and praised, many a Scripture in the Bible is filled with words of encouragement: Thank God! I sometimes categorize encouragement and thanks in the "love thy neighbor" Scriptures.

Romans 13:7 "Render therefore to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor." This is Paul giving specific exhortations for Roman Christians concerning their outlook, attitude and action.

Oh, and by-the-way: Thanks for stopping by today! I appreciate it!