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Category: ENGAGEMENT & APPRECIATION
Employee productivity increases when employees feel valued and engaged in their work. Free of stress, happy, and appreciated, employees will work harder and yield greater output. While benefits, compensation, and job growth may be important long term, day-to-day happiness correlates more strongly to regular employee recognition. Communicate frequently with team members to show your respect and appreciation of their contributions.
A Lesson in Empathy
Twice now, I’ve come across this story of two parents losing their son, and twice I’ve been completely moved by it. If you’re one who has doubted that empathy can be taught, this scenario might change your mind. It would be a good addition to training in leadership, communication... Read More
Teamwork Tuckman Style
When I was growing up, gymnastics and skating were my passions. While I loved my sports, I always regretted never playing on a real team–the closest I got was being one of three sisters. Nowadays, I have two young boys who are completely into team sports–baseball, basketball, and soccer ... Read More
Happiness leads to success
I’m always on the lookout for data supporting the use of playful, stress-reducing learning techniques. This article was synthesized by Kim Marshall and posted in his wonderful weekly journal, The Marshall Memo. Of the five happiness-enhancing activities listed below, the one found to have th... Read More
Perfect Quotes for Training
When I was a kid, I collected buttons — not the kind you sew on clothes, but the kind with a pin on the back. I had buttons for gymnastics (my childhood passion), “Big Mac attacks,” political campaigns, you name it. I had hundreds of them. More recently, I’ve been collecting ... Read More
What to do with a Rubber Chicken
Sure, a rubber chicken is always good for a laugh, but an “on-topic” laugh is always better than one that is not topic related. When it IS content-relevant, it can help make your learning point more memorable. So the question is: can a rubber chicken help your group learn and remember ... Read More
Anybody? Anybody?
I just came upon this anonymous quote and thought it had many great applications — first and foremost I think I could share it with my boys, when it comes to clearing the table, hanging up coats, or taking out the trash. It could also apply to class participation, team projects, taking chances... Read More
Teach Students How to Succeed at Failing
As a teenager, I frequently went skiing with my dad. I was pretty good at the sport but didn’t like it much when I fell, let alone wiped out and had a complete “yard sale.” For the non-skiers out there, that’s when all of your equipment falls off and is scattered around the... Read More
Giving Feedback
David Gibson gave me permission to share this terrific exercise on coaching and giving appropriate feedback. All you’ll need is about 12 marker pens and a box the size of a waste paper bin or the waste paper bin itself, plus 3 volunteers. Conducting the exercise is fairly simple: Ask the 3 vol... Read More
Valuing our Teachers
As summer winds down and “back to school” is fresh in our mind, let us consider the true impact of our trainers and teachers, who are too often under-valued and under-appreciated. I found this thoughtful article quoted online. What Do Teachers Make? by Mona Kapoor Choudhury The dinner gu... Read More
Fun DOES work!
I know this Staircase Piano video has become quite popular on You Tube. The reason I find it intriguing for trainers is because it emphasizes the importance of engaging people by using playful techniques. The takeaway: be bold and confident in your commitment to fun, even if you’re facing pe... Read More
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Employee Engagement and Motivation
Employee engagement and motivation are crucial aspects of any successful organization. They go hand in hand to foster a productive and positive work environment, leading to increased performance and employee satisfaction. Engaged employees are typically more enthusiastic, dedicated, and aligned with the company's goals. They are more likely to go the extra mile, be proactive, and actively contribute to the organization's growth. Engaged employees also tend to have better relationships with their colleagues and managers, leading to a more cohesive and collaborative workplace. Those receiving ample employee recognition also tend to exhibit higher levels of creativity and innovation, seeking opportunities for self-improvement and career advancement.Beyond Tokens of Appreciation
In addition to maximizing employee recognition and motivation, successful work environments (a.k.a. WorkSMART organizations) help their teams excel by equipping them with critical tools and resources. These may not be the staples that you'll find in an office supply store, but their equally important, as they:- Promote the development of positive, trusting relationships.
- Occupy fidget fingers and wandering attention.
- Strengthen team communication and listening skills, time management, leadership, and project oversight.
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