Don’t rush the credits
There are at least a couple of times during the year when the efforts of staff are formally acknowledged. If yours is an organisation that has an annual report you will be familiar with the one or two lines in the chairman’s or chief executive’s report where staff are thanked for their contributions to the company and its performance.
Another of these times is Christmas with set piece events like staff Christmas parties. These have become a well-worn tradition, however there is a danger that the event masks the real opportunity to say a simple thanks and “well done”.
With the downturn in the global economy and the effects of recession making their mark with retrenchments, it is important that employees know they are valued – and this goes for all staff, not just the “stars”.
I was reminded this week how credits for the lesser player can be rushed. I’d just watched a documentary on Pablo Picasso and noticed how deliberately the major credits were screened, and then the rest sped up to such a rate that they weren’t able to be read.
It seemed to me that this was the difference between acknowledgement and process.
Resist the temptation to turn staff Christmas celebrations into a process, and don’t rush the credits!
