Encouraged by the recognition, Sarah Lewsiton went home from work that day, full of self-belief and wonder that she had made the leap at last.
In her last job, she had always felt that she was unsuitable, in fact below par, for the place. On her very first day at this new job, it was different. On the very first day, her supervisor had recognised her in a way that no-one had done before.
At 17, she had gone into the workplace ready to conquer the world. A positive girl, she had never understood that her hard work, unstoppable enthusiasm and keen willingness might not be enough. At the last place, where she had worked for nearly two years, they had, subtly, yet consistently, knocked that out of her, through criticising, embarrassing and slighting her. So much so, that she had changed to be cynical, sceptical and sarcastic. In the end they had to part, badly, and it had taken a few weeks for Sarah to build the courage to go for another job.
Yet on the very first day in the new place, someone had made her day, just by saying two little words - 'Well done'.
In life, especially in our busy workplaces, there is sometimes, no time, to say, 'Well done'. Yet we all know how it feels when we are on the receiving end, just as Sarah did. It costs nothing, except a few moments and a bit of focus - but it makes the world of difference.
For Sarah Lewsiton, tomorrow would be another good day, because the culture was naturally supportive, encouraging and enlightened. And her place of work would come to benefit over the years she would stay. She would contribute more, become a great team player, work well when delegated to and have simple, yet constructive ideas about how to take the business forward.
Two little words - that's all it takes.
Martin Haworth is a Business and Management Coach. He works worldwide, mainly by phone, with small business owners, managers and corporate leaders. He has hundreds of hints, tips and ideas at his website, http://www.coaching-businesses-to-success.com
a> (Note to editors. This article may be edited for use in your publication or newsletter as long as a live link to the website is included)
...helping you, to help your people, to help your business grow...
The meeting started like a hundred others before. There were... Read More
The Fundamentals of Strategic Marketing, Some Key Traits for Greater... Read More
Even a well-planned teleconference can go poorly. Some people treat... Read More
Have you noticed that some sound ideas get bad publicity?... Read More
This was supposed to be one of those sleepy flights... Read More
The Leader's Fallacy lives! We subscribe to the Fallacy when... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Are you the position or the person?Bosses can lose their... Read More
We all have been in meetings with certain people who... Read More
People buy from you, offer help, and grant rewards based... Read More
Workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people... Read More
Pssst, want a stock tip that will make you rich?... Read More
Pinpoint your own blocks to assertiveness: fear of disapproval, need... Read More
As crazy as it seems, some people spend more time... Read More
This article relates to the Job Security competency, commonly evaluated... Read More
Escalating gas prices...tensions and turmoil in the Middle East...a struggling... Read More
Recent studies have shown that industrial supervisors are working at... Read More
According to a Gallup Poll, 80 percent of employees said... Read More
If you were to take the people out of an... Read More
Another IT White Elephant!It seems that almost every day we... Read More
Have you unintentionally set your business up for failure?No one... Read More
Outsourcing is when you hire outside professionals or services to... Read More
Communication is the basis of who you are as a... Read More
If you have the entrepreneurial spirit (which clearly you have!),... Read More
FEAR! To what extent does fear rule your life? How... Read More
This article relates to the Work/Life Balance competency, which investigates... Read More
INTERNAL PUBLIC RELATIONS: Never overlook an opportunity to do internal... Read More
I often hear leaders from all types of organizations ask... Read More
How do you, or would you, communicate in a chaotic... Read More
You can possibly teach a turkey to climb a tree... Read More
Growing companies must always be ready for the next challenge.... Read More
What value is there in leadership or team-building retreats? Just... Read More
I bet you can't tell me how leadership training and... Read More
A few months ago I had the opportunity to spend... Read More
There is a saying about management that suggests some managers... Read More
When you think of all the things companies have, you... Read More
Have you ever hired someone who did not live up... Read More
Re-organizing, re-engineering, re-training, down-sizing, outsourcing, changing-changing-changing. Organizations today think they... Read More
There is a difference between being comfortable and being in... Read More
At first blush, it would appear there is no shortage... Read More
Sexual Harassment Policy Guidelines ? Part IPermission is hereby granted... Read More
There are papers on the floor, across the desk and... Read More
In a competitive world with the need for businesses to... Read More
"The difference between a boss and a leader: a boss... Read More
It is easy to spot the difference between a work... Read More
What happens when a Project Manager asks one of his... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Meetings can be the life-blood of an organisation or the... Read More
Once upon a time there lived an innocent, hardworking manager.... Read More
Old style management doesn't encourage personal mind control, employees aren't... Read More
Because, like you I suspect, they have key target audiences... Read More
Workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people... Read More
People management and leadership has become a major topic of... Read More
Few things are more destructive to a career than a... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Recently, I felt appalled to see a political candidate running... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Each year, businesses write-off six percent of revenue to waste,... Read More
There's a common phrase used by Organizational Development and Human... Read More
Ellen was a clerk working for a large insurance company.... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Hiring someone new to work in your business is one... Read More
In today's competitive world shorter product life cycles, customers rapid... Read More
As with any other service, there are good and bad... Read More
Unfortunately, at least two thirds of much of the training... Read More
In my book "You're In Charge?What Now?" I use a... Read More
Business Management |