Catalyst Strategic Consultants - What is Doug Bouey thinking about these days?

Re: Recognition

The Christmas season announces a generosity of spirit that is not afoot during the balance of the year. Companies and people end up spending considerable effort to show the people that are important to them that – “Hey – you matter!”

Expressing appreciation is not always the first order of business of entrepreneurs and business leaders. You are usually charging ahead looking after the next opportunity or dealing with problems.

Many key employees wrestle with one question – “How am I doing?” They spend their lives engrossed in the business you head and “You still have a job…” is not enough to make that a meaningful pursuit.

Last I checked the number 1 constraint is getting good people. It follows that you should keep the good ones you have. They are being hit on every week – believe me. So leaving them in the dark about where they fit and how they contribute may not be the best position to take with them.

A bright young engineer was grappling with this. New to the work force (2 years) and newer to a facilities role – she felt she was ineffective and being taken advantage of politically. It was just adjusting to a new environment and standing up for herself. But she didn’t know that. Her negative self assessment was piling up and she was thinking about quitting.

In one stellar week, she had a meltdown at a planning meeting when someone tried to fast play her. And her supervisor had her scheduled 6 month review – told her she was making a big impression and bumped her up a category. What a difference in her mental set! She’s good for another 50,000 miles now!

So what does this tale tell us?

It’s not all about money. It’s about how what I am offering fits with what is needed. People hate futility. I would imagine you are included in that group!

Paying attention to giving feedback is like maintaining your car. It’s not glamorous and it doesn’t give you an immediate hit. But you wouldn’t let your steed run out of oil, would you? It won’t bite you until you’ve let it go for far too long. Then it’s too late. And that “best before” date runs out faster…

Developing your key young people (or older – for that matter) is so central to their continuing involvement. If they’re getting stale, they’re gone. But don’t take my word for it – ask someone a couple of years in.

OK, it is about the money. You’ve got to stay current and interesting in the context of the market. These folks know what they’re worth. They still won’t jump for nickels – but for dollars and perks – yeah!

It is far more appealing for them to stick – and feeling that what they are doing is appreciated is the glue. Just a little of the Christmas feeling all year…

Doug Bouey