Commend what you want to see repeated.

How important and valued is recognition to ALL employees?  Just completed a class on team building using the DISC reports to show how people are different and how critical it is to HONOR the differences.  Had almost 100 broken up into several classes so the mix was really unique.  Ninety five percent of the class members were wage roll employees, not salaried so you better be ready for some tough feedback.

As we conducted several breakouts, I watch to see who leads the breakouts and who participates without being asked.  ALWAYS, I repeat, ALWAYS the D’s in the group will grab the marker and take over.  I then coax some others to take the lead.  Difficult but can be effective.

As we got to the last breakout of the class, one individual who had hung back the entire time suddenly stepped up and took the marker.  He led the discussion like a pro- asked questions, recorded responses with clarity, looked the speaker in the eye, etc.  I was awed by his expertise.

Soon after the class ended and I asked him to stay over.  He very quietly walked up (C) and spoke very quietly.  I commended him on the fantastic job he had done and asked whether he had any classes on facilitation.  I noticed him look away as he said he had not.  Then I noticed that tears were rolling down his checks.  I immediately stopped the conversation.  He was so overwhelmed by someone saying something complementary to him that he could not control his emotions!  I had a hard time controlling mine then!  Both of us will never forget the brief conversation.

Never pass up the opportunity to commend someone who has done something you would like to see repeated.