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WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET

Ten years ago, I was contracted by a client to provide a ‘lunch ‘n learn’ experience for? their staff.? Through our discussions, they liked my idea of calling it ‘What You See is What You Get’.? I still use that line regularly in sessions I deliver today.

I started the session with a story from my Interpersonal Communications Course text book at the University of Winnipeg.? The story was called ‘What Kind of People?’ from the book ‘The People, Yes” by C. Sandberg, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, New York, 1964.? (No…I was not teaching the course in 1964…the text just included this old story as a meaningful reference for the section on perception.? The year of my course was 1998.)

Here’s how the story goes:

Drove up a newcomer in a covered wagon: “What kind of folk live around here?”

“Well, stranger, what kind of folk was there in the country you come from?”

“Well, they was mostly a lowdown, lying, gossiping, backbiting lot of people.”

“Well, I guess, stranger, that’s about the kind of folk you’ll find around here.”

And the dusty grey stranger had just about blended into the dusty grey cotton-woods in a clump on the horizon when another newcomer drove up.

“What kind of folk live around here?”

“Well, stranger, what kind of folk was there in the country you come from?”

“Well, they was mostly a decent, hardworking, law abiding, friendly lot of people.”

“Well, I guess, stranger, that’s about the kind of people you’ll find around here.”

And the second wagon moved off and blended with the dusty grey…

?

I think this session title, like this story, reference a universal truth about we humans.? We do not see the world as it is, we see the world as?WE ARE.? (I think that comes from a quote from that famous person?’Anonymous’, but I have conflicting information on that source!!)

Albert Einstein said, “Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.” You will always remain where you are unless you change your picture. By changing the picture in your mind, you begin to change what you notice, and what becomes your reality.

This is exactly what Terry Small communicated in his youtube video earlier this year.? In the video, he talks about the young teacher who mistakenly took locker numbers to be IQ scores, and treated her students accordingly.? She thought she had a room full of geniuses (high locker numbers) and … guess what … her expectations were met!? It was not until the end of the year, that she discovered that those high numbers were not IQ scores.? At that point, who cares?? She had a class of high performers on her hands…and that was nothing but good!!? And, it have EVERYTHING to do with the picture she had of the students’ capability prior to the start of the year.

So … what are the pictures that reside in your brain?? What are the pictures you have of yourself?? (i.e. What do you ‘believe’ about yourself?)? What are the pictures of others?? (i.e. What do you ‘believe’ about others?)? Are these pictures/beliefs working FOR you or against you??

It’ s important to remember that you are not passive here.? You can decide to put the exact pictures you want in your brain.? Once or twice won’t do it; remember that it takes 21 days to change a habit – that goes for thinking habits as well.? Put the pictures you want in your brain over and over again. Then, watch things begin to change.

While you are contemplating this,?check out this beautiful 22 minute video – it is well worth your time investment!? Find a chunk of time, sit back, relax and enjoy!!

And then … tell me … what do you see?

?Deri Latimer, B. Mgt., CSP, is an expert in possibilities for people! She is one of fewer than 10% of speakers globally who hold the designation of Certified Speaking Professional, the speaking profession?s measure of excellence in professional platform skill. Deri combines a Business degree in Human Resources with experience from business sectors including health care, manufacturing, education, agriculture, government, mining, transportation, tourism, and professional services. Deri helps individuals and organizations optimize their performance by managing their energy; applying the latest research and practice in positive psychology, appreciative inquiry, emotional intelligence, and employee engagement.? www.derilatimer.com

 

The Butterfly Circus – HD from The Butterfly Circus on Vimeo.

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Ten Tips To Revitalize Your Recognition Strategy

Employee recognition is not just a nice thing to do for people; it?s the right thing to do for your team and for your organization.? That is, if you want to keep benefiting from the positive outcomes your team members create for your business!

Every week I am in a different workplace interacting with different people, and yet there is a common theme in our discussions.? There is a recognition-deficit among us!!? When I ask people what they’d like to see MORE OF from their leader, or when I ask them what their organization can do to engage them MORE, the overwhelming response is … provide more recognition!

An effective employee recognition strategy is a communication tool that is simple, immediate, and powerfully reinforcing.? Here are some simple tips to revitalize your recognition strategy:

1. Be mindful. What is important to recognize?? Who will you recognize (individual, team)?? When, where and how will you provide the recognition?? What principles or values does this recognition support?? What are the potential benefits and pitfalls of this recognition?

2. Engage the team. Ask your team members for their ideas on recognition.? What have they experienced and liked?? What have they not experienced that they think might be a great idea?? Perhaps invite them to form a sub-team whose sole purpose is to generate new recognition ideas.

3. Plan it. Put it into your calendar as a reminder (daily, weekly, etc.)? This will keep recognition ?top of mind?.? I know, it sounds a bit like you are “planning to be spontaneous”.? You are busy.? You know recognition is important to you, your team and your organization.? The flag in your calendar is just a reminder to keep you on track.

4. Document it. Keep track of your recognition efforts ? who was recognized, what was the recognition for , when did it take place, how did it happen?? Make a note of the reception you received; was it positive, negative, neutral?

5. Own it. Even if the recognition program or token comes from the organization, make it your own.? You will be able to deliver it much more authentically if you take what’s available to you and add a little personal twist to it.

6. Use the platinum rule. You’ve heard of the golden rule – treat people as you’d like to be treated.? Well, when we are talking about recognition, the <em>platinum rule </em>works best.? Treat people as <strong>THEY</strong> would like to be treated.? Craft your recognition to suit the needs and interests of the receiver.

7. Be enthusiastic. Communicate the importance of recognition by maintaining high, positive energy when you are delivering recognition.? If you aren’t in that emotional state, get there (see?Wake Up To Your Habits!’ cards as a resource to help you) …or wait until a better time.

8. Time it well. Ensure that you deliver recognition as close as possible to the behaviour or outcome you are reinforcing.? Make sure the recipient is ?available? ? physically and emotionally ? to receive it.

9. Set people up to succeed. Put people in roles they find energizing and meaningful.? Help them to be easy candidates for recognition.

10.Use a variety of tools. Almost nothing beats a sincere ?thank you? from you.?? You can also provide learning opportunities, assign a special project, and fill your website with success stories.

Happy recognizing!

Deri Latimer, B. Mgt., CSP, is an expert in possibilities for people! She is one of the top 10% of speakers globally who hold the designation of Certified Speaking Professional, the speaking profession?s measure of excellence in professional platform skill. Deri combines a Business degree in Human Resources with experience from business sectors including health care, manufacturing, education, agriculture, government, mining, transportation, tourism, and professional services. Deri helps individuals and organizations optimize their performance by managing their energy; applying the latest research and practice in positive psychology, appreciative inquiry, emotional intelligence, and employee engagement.