Leadership Brief: Resources that Help You Show Appreciation

Posted on 28. Aug, 2011 by Shawn Murphy in 2 Leadership Brief

On Sundays we like to take it nice and easy. We like to take it slow. Leadership Briefs are quick reads to frame the upcoming work week. Today I’m planting seeds of optimism in your thoughts.

Social technologies have heightened our awareness to different even new ways of connecting with each other. These technologies present possibilities for people to show how much and what they appreciate about others.

Here are a few social tech faves of mine plus other resources that make it easier to express appreciation.

Rypple. This social tech platform has been touted as the replacement to annual performance reviews. That remains to be seen. But what is compelling about the product is anyone can give positive feedback to anyone. It’s timely, unlike the annual review process.

Yammer. This is Twitter behind the firewall. For companies looking to create a more secure Twitter expereince, Yammer is the solution. It’s a way to share knowledge, decisions, updates, even poll employees’ thoughts about an idea. Yammer can easily be used to show your appreciation for someone’s extra effort.

Baudville. For a more low-tech approach, Baudville offers neatly designed products to express your gratitude. Products range from neatly designed thank-you’s to engraved trophies and plaques.

gm header2 Leadership Brief: Resources that Help You Show Appreciation Give More.com. This site has a lot of heart and includes some popular DVDs like 212 Degrees and Love Your People. Great videos. Great supporting products. Great ideas to show your appreciation and get inspired, too. Here’s a video from the company’s Smile & Move product. I like the message.

So, what is your favorite resource that helps you show your appreciation for your people?

Tags: employee appreciation, engagement, feedback, Optimism

4 Responses to “Leadership Brief: Resources that Help You Show Appreciation”

michele price

28. Aug, 2011

I enjoyed the video from smileandmove.com, felt like maybe one example would have been enough. Great ools I was not aware of thank you

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- Shawn Murphy
  
  28. Aug, 2011
  
  Thanks Michele. Smile and Move is a great message.
  
  Shawn
  
  Reply to this comment
Alan Kay

29. Aug, 2011

Thanks for raising the topic of appreciation. It’s often hard to do and the results of doing it are not always immediately apparent. Appreciation is about affirmation of the strengths and resources of people. The opportunity is to affirm in ways that resonate. Saying, ‘You did a good job’, can be very helpful. Saying, ‘I appreciate the way you did X, Y and Z’, will resonate even more and have a greater impact. It’s the same in performance reviews – the reviewer quickly goes through the positive points in order to make sure the negatives are given attention. The result is that the reviewee becomes less motivated and less likely to try to correct the faults.

Reply to this comment
- Shawn Murphy
  
  29. Aug, 2011
  
  Hi Alan,
  Fundamental to showing, sharing appreciation is the belief that people are more important than the outcome. This belief makes it easier to see how the person applied their talents.
  
  Good to “see” you again, Alan,
  Shawn
  
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