Broad + focused thank yous move mountains

As Lance Haun explained, CEO’s generally want to improve employee engagement but rarely take action on it.  They get that business results improve with an engaged, motivated staff, but the reality is that things like internal politics and figuring out/dealing with toxic managers are sticky and complicated.

CEO’s and their business leaders also get that modeling appreciation goes a long way.  A really long way, in fact.  However, things often fall apart in the actual act of appreciating. This is where you can help with some simple coaching.  By all means, tie it back to the business results linkage, drawing on the plethora of studies published in the past decade, but provide some simple, actionable advice that the business leader can actually do.  As they get the hang of it, start broadening your case for more.

How to motivate staff through appreciation:

- Appreciate broadly and inclusively. If a lucrative sales deal comes through, a tough milestone is reached, a project firedrill is executed successfully; basically, if something special happens (probably once a month or quarter, depending on the size of the organization), find as many people as possible who were involved in the success.  Do not judge their level of involvement or the number of extra hours they put into it versus others.  This is not a stack ranking exercise, it is an appreciation exercise.  Gather up all those names (inside and outside the leaders domain) and send a heartfelt, public appreciation.

But that’s not all …

- Also, find out who really nailed it.  Find out what is special about them.  What specific things they did to make it a success.  Talk to managers and get their take on who stepped up and why they rock.  Then, approach these stand-outs individually.  (Email is acceptable).  Tell them what they did that made a difference, what strengths they have that are important to the organization, and thank them a second time.

Everyone will be more engaged.  And the stars will move mountains.

Seems doable, don’t you think?

photo credit: townoldtimes.wordpress.com