Let me tell you about a time I got employee recognition so so wrong 😳
You see, I once had an employee who was a very high performer
She was in an admin support role
⭐ Great work ethic
⭐Impeccable work
⭐The team loved her
⭐Went above and beyond
So when it came time to decide who would receive one of the quarterly recognition awards, she was a no brainer.
I asked her manager why she was deserving, how she lived our values, and what reward was appropriate.
Fast forward to the town hall and over 100 employees gathered to hear from the CEO and celebrate the quarter.
Then came time for the awards
The scene was set, anticipation was high
The trophy was etched with her name
I was so excited - this is one of the best parts of my job!
The CEO called her name
Followed by an uproar of applause
All heads turned to her
She was overcome with emotion
And then….
She burst into tears and ran to the bathroom
😳😳
Turns out she was painfully shy - she did not want to be centre of attention
While the other winner paraded around the stage with his trophy held high, she sat in the bathroom crying.
Oh how I got that so wrong 😣
It was at that moment that I realised the significance of understanding not just the 'what' and 'why,' but the 'how' when it comes to recognising and acknowledging peoples achievements.
While the ‘what’ is important (*flashback to the time we gave a vegetarian a christmas ham 😬*)
The 'how' may be even more so
Recognition isn't one-size-fits-all. While the grand stage might be perfect for some, others thrive on a more personal, intimate form of acknowledgement.
After all, recognition isn't just about celebrating success; it's about making each team member feel seen, valued, and appreciated for who they are and how they contribute.
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