Don't just recognize jobs well done; do something.
How often do you become aware someone has been noticeably helpful to you or to others, performed beyond expectations, or simply done a good job in and of itself? When that awareness occurs, how often do you take the time and make an effort to speak with or write a brief note to that person, saying you noticed how well they performed, appreciated their helpfulness or just wanted to compliment them on a job well done?
From decades of workplace experience and day to day living I've come to realize, especially for support staff--the people behind the scenes rather than on stage--their work almost always is taken for granted. Yet their very existence and support, for the most part invisible to the audience, is absolutely critical to the success of those in "out front" jobs. I think I was originally sensitized to how many individuals exist in the shadows--of a family, a social circle, a firm--and whose efforts go unnoticed, when I saw the Broadway musical, Chicago. In it there's a song about Mr. Cellophane whose lyrics I found haunting: "Cellophane, Mr. Cellophane, shoulda been my name, Mr. Cellophane, 'cause you can look right through me, Walk right by me, and never know my name."
This short piece, therefore, is meant to encourage you to recognize good work done by others with a quick comment or a brief note applauding or complimenting the job well done. You should not have to consciously look for someone's work to comment upon. Rather, their performance or helpfulness should reach out and grab your attention. When it does grab you, reacting positively takes very little effort on your part, which means it might not feel like a big deal to you. I will guarantee, however, to the person whose performance you recognize, it will be a very big deal.
Try it, and in the process you also might be surprised at how good it feels to you. Taking it one step farther, if the work impressed you enough to take action recognizing its value, consider also sending a short note to their supervisor or saying something publicly when the opportunity arises. The cost to you is virtually nil. The benefit to the person whose work is being recognized is priceless.
From decades of workplace experience and day to day living I've come to realize, especially for support staff--the people behind the scenes rather than on stage--their work almost always is taken for granted. Yet their very existence and support, for the most part invisible to the audience, is absolutely critical to the success of those in "out front" jobs. I think I was originally sensitized to how many individuals exist in the shadows--of a family, a social circle, a firm--and whose efforts go unnoticed, when I saw the Broadway musical, Chicago. In it there's a song about Mr. Cellophane whose lyrics I found haunting: "Cellophane, Mr. Cellophane, shoulda been my name, Mr. Cellophane, 'cause you can look right through me, Walk right by me, and never know my name."
This short piece, therefore, is meant to encourage you to recognize good work done by others with a quick comment or a brief note applauding or complimenting the job well done. You should not have to consciously look for someone's work to comment upon. Rather, their performance or helpfulness should reach out and grab your attention. When it does grab you, reacting positively takes very little effort on your part, which means it might not feel like a big deal to you. I will guarantee, however, to the person whose performance you recognize, it will be a very big deal.
Try it, and in the process you also might be surprised at how good it feels to you. Taking it one step farther, if the work impressed you enough to take action recognizing its value, consider also sending a short note to their supervisor or saying something publicly when the opportunity arises. The cost to you is virtually nil. The benefit to the person whose work is being recognized is priceless.
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