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In college I was highly involved with campus leadership. Through all of my leadership training and practice, the one tool I still use on a regular basis is this: recognition. We were taught that recognition of an individual's contribution to the group's success is one of the most important things you can do. It greases the wheels, so to speak. If someone gives their best effort this time, and you recognize that effort, they're more likely to repeat it next time, or go above and beyond.
Recognition for their efforts keeps people encouraged. Where I work this is especially important. I work with adolescents who have little to no self-esteem. Even recognizing that they behaved well in the doctor's office can give them a boost, and if giving them a boost increases their self-esteem and helps them in their recovery, then I will continue to recognize even the littlest things.
The fact is, no one likes a negative person or a negative leader. If you are going to work with others, recognizing how they have helped you is key, and making the effort to voice that recognition is key. It can mean the difference between a cohesive, operative team that gets things done and makes progress versus the team that gets bogged down in negativity and never goes anywhere. And this concept applies everywhere: it applies to families, couples, and friends. By recognizing the efforts of those we love, we get so much back because of that use of positive reinforcement.
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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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