As a teacher and a coach I have always been privileged to see firsthand the power of recognition. No book, in my opinion, captures this concept better than Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton’s international phenomenon The 24-Carrot Manager.
This amazing little book (and it is a very quick read) powerfully delivers the incredible gains that can be made in homes, organizations, classrooms, and in business by providing meaningful recognition for someone’s hard work and achievements.
The 24-Carrot manager shows how successful managers use recognition to engage people, accelerate performance, and retain talent. Using recognition leaders can truly unleash the power of human potential in ways far greater than can be achieved in increased salary and benefits. This book cites surveys in which workers repeatedly place greater desires for recognition over salaries. This is difficult for many to believe. Recognition, as the book points out, is the true driving force of all people. We want to feel as if our work makes a difference. We like to be appreciated for what we do. We want to feel significant. Recognition fills these needs! Employees leave organizations for lack of recognition in greater numbers than for bigger pay checks.
This book will inspire you to develop a meaningful method to recognize family members, friends, co-workers, and anyone you wish to have a meaningful relationship. Recognition will become your new buzzword and emphasis, and more importantly —it will deliver the results!
If you want to encourage commitment, results, high standards, and retain quality—make it part of your recognition program. (This book will show you how. It is a fun read.)
I have been fortunate to work with some amazing coaches that utilized the concept of recognition to its full potential. I learned a lot from them and have applied it in my life with great success. These men were able to make our football players feel an inch taller and run three steps faster. In the classroom you see a student’s eyes light up when you reward their hard work by hanging up a paper or offering authentic praise. And I personally know that the kind words from another about my own work is the greatest paycheck I will ever receive.
Recognition tip: Don’t just recognize the individual for his or her hard work; recognize them in the audience of their peers. Any small token presented with genuine praise and sincerity will be remembered for a long time, but the most expensive of awards given hastily or without sincerity will be forgotten and might even possibly backfire. Be sincere and do your homework.
Who will you recognize today?
The people you recognize today will remember you tomorrow.
(Kelly Croy is an inspirational speaker, author, and performing artist. Visit our website to invite Kelly to perform at your next event.)