How Katie recognizes the importance of recognition…
A few weeks ago, one of my classmates and coworkers applied for the freshman supervisor position at one of the dining halls on my campus. Everyone was certain she would get the position. She worked more hours than anyone else (upperclassmen included), worked harder than anyone, and seemed to know everything about the dining hall’s operation. My friend, however, did not receive that position and I could tell she was crushed. While the other freshman who had applied was very deserving, my friend was awestruck and almost heartbroken.
A couple days later, though, through a simple email, it was announced that my friend had won employee of the semester! Her prize included a ten dollar gift certificate to the campus café and the recognition given in the email. At first I doubted whether this would mean anything to her. What is ten dollars and a pat on the back if she did not receive the supervisor position and title she deserved?
Well, when I saw her later that evening working the dinner shift, I would have thought she had been put in charge of the whole dining hall. She was smiling from ear-to-ear, running around, finishing jobs no one else wanted to, and barely stopped to talk for a moment. She was so proud to be given such recognition, it was as though she had completely forgotten about the freshman supervisor position.
After this, I began to think about the importance of recognition. I have found that school leaders often do not receive the recognition they deserve because certain actions have become expected of them, and most of the time, the leaders do not ask, or even think, to be recognized. However, I have also seen and experienced the power a simple “Well done” or “Good job” has on a person.
Recognition is funny, because it cannot be packaged and decorated with a bow, it cannot be put on a résumé, it cannot even be shown off to other people. Yet recognition of a job-well-done is possibly the greatest gift you can give someone who has given effort towards achieving a goal.
While receiving recognition for your own hard work is always a treasure, giving recognition to others is a great way to see the effects it has over his or her attitude. Tell the lunch ladies that the food was really tasty. Tell the kid at the cash register that he has done a remarkable job keeping the line moving. Say to your parents that the holiday decorations look especially nice this season. Say to your best friend that you really appreciate his or her friendship. Let your teachers know that you really enjoyed their class and learned a lot this semester. You can even tell a stranger on the sidewalk that their dog just brightened up your day.
They are all easy, simple little things you can say to show others you recognize their hard work, even if they are not going to win an award or a raise for what they are doing. Letting someone know you see them trying often empowers that person to finish their job and perhaps even go beyond what is expected.
The holiday season is a great time to begin showing recognition, because everyone is already contemplating what they are most thankful for from the past year and what they are looking forward to for the following year. Regardless of how many people you encounter this season, I guarantee you, if you start showing recognition for those people who do come into your life in these next few weeks, you will see a handful of new smiles.
Katie G
MYLead AP Communications Coordinator
