ADAM (00:00)

Everyone wants to know that the work they are doing is impactful and valuable. Put another way, everyone wants to succeed and to be told one way or another that they are succeeding. For a variety of reasons, we don't always do this well, which is why we need to talk about recognition. It's a critical skill for every people leader because of its impact on psychological safety, employee engagement, retention, and ultimately the business outcomes you are trying to accomplish.

Few things feel better than being celebrated for doing something really, really well. From the days of getting a gold star sticker on our homework from a schoolteacher to be acknowledged for our contributions at home or at work, we as humans crave some kind of external validation to know that what we do matters. Quite frankly, it can't be overstated. When recognition is embedded in an organization's values and practices, it creates a culture of appreciation, respect, and inclusivity. And who doesn't want to work in that kind of a culture?

I'm Adam Bouse, Performance Coach at 15Five. Today, let's talk about what gets in the way of the practice of recognition in the workplace, how to overcome those barriers, and how to begin mastering the skill of strength.