Connecting the Dots, Connecting People

Remember those join-the-dot picture or coloring books? Once you had drawn the lines between all the consecutive numbered dots...voila! There appeared the picture that was otherwise hidden from view.

Recognition can do exactly the same thing.

When you acknowledge people the right way you help connect the dots. That’s why it is critical to not just tell people specifically what they did. It is almost more important that you tell the person how and why what they did actually made a difference. This is the Two-Part Specificity Rule in action – the what and the why.

Whether an employee’s actions helped you get some performance numbers in on time for your report to look good for a meeting presentation; or a hotel registration clerk sent up some water and cookies to your room because they heard you had a headache; or perhaps an employee got a shipment out that night for a special order request for a customer - TELL them how this benefited you, the customer, and/or the company.

Connect the dots!

Recognition also allows us to connect better with people.

By giving sincere, positive and timely feedback to people and by using the Two-Part Specificity Rule – the feedback and praise given will come across as being genuine, authentic and thereby REAL!

And it will be “felt”.

Giving meaningful recognition allows you to connect with people because it is all about relationships. Check out the positive friendships you have with those at work, your neighbourhood, and other networks, how did you form those connections?

Simply, you were consistent in your greetings and giving of time to that person and they reciprocated in kind. Your consistency in actions led to credibility you could be counted on as a friend to do anything they might need. And this credibility led to a high balance of trust. Relationships are built upon this trust.

So there you have it. Recognition not only helps you see the big picture of what your company’s really doing – the connecting the dots – it also helps you reinforce wonderful relationships – connecting people.