“Catch someone doing something good….and let them know.”
My humble and intelligent late Uncle was the long-standing Warden at the Iowa State Penitentiary. And he had this saying. And he lived by it. And it’s something I try to embrace in my human experience every day, too.
We live in a society that is chock-full of negative, of click-bait headlines, of divisive politics, and people cyberbullying others in the comments on social media.
And even in the workplace, it’s far too often that we are quicker to acknowledge when something isn’t right or going well, vs. recognizing when things are.
Building a strong culture has to begin with recognizing the humanity in every one. While we all have our bruises, imperfections, and areas of growth, it's equally important to uplift the unique strengths and contributions that each person brings to the story. Acknowledging the good in others fosters a culture of appreciation and unity…and can be just the fuel for authentically creating a purpose-driven culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
Appreciation, in my experience, has a high value exchange. Yes - pay, benefits, and scope are obviously important to the formula. But it’s a fundamental human need just to be seen and heard.
If you’re lucky enough to work for a company that lives by this, like I am, carry that baton with the awareness of the awesome responsibility that it really is.
So go on, catch someone doing something good, and then let them know.
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