5 Cents Worth of Management
November 18, 2008 by Phil Gerbyshak
Filed under Business
5 cents can be the best investment you’ll ever make in your team.
Every day this week, put 5 cents in one pocket, in the form of 5 pennies. Each time you give someone specific positive feedback, move a penny to the other pocket. Each time you use all 5 of your pennies, start over and move them to the other pocket.
Try to give at least 5 cents worth of specific positive feedback to your team each day.
Repeat this exercise for the next 30 days. If you like to keep score, add up how many cents you’ve shared with your team, and donate the change you’ve made to a worthy cause, or to an office fund that your employees can benefit from. I give my pennies to our IT FISH fund.
How else can 5 cents make such a meaningful difference?
Your team is worth 5 cents, isn’t it?
Photo credit to Caitlinator
Ok Phil, I’ll bite. This is an interesting concept. I can apply your suggestion with my students. I run an Intensive Training School and my students don’t always here compliments from me. I do attempt to say kind things, based on their performance or their positive choices that affect their peers or their projects. I’ll let you know if I make the attempt.
Another thought about using your suggestion – People need to think more highly of themselves if they find themselves in the unemployment line. Many people spend too much time beating themselves up about the loss of job. Paying yourself a penny for every positive thought, may help people pull out of the funk and move themselves into a productive job search.
Darlene
Interview Guru
http://www.interviewchatter.com
Interesting concept … Undoubtedly the pennies serve as a reminder while tracking your praise ‘progress.’ I will have to pass this to upper management – they sorely in desperate need it!
Phil, I love this advice. It’s so easy to forget what a boost people feel when they hear from positive feedback. I’m definitely trying this!
Rachel
This is a great suggestion — and so easy too. While it’s a shame that we need to be reminded to extend praise, it’s a good thing that we have ways to make sure that we don’t forget!
Thanks for the tip — I’m digging out pennies now!
This is pretty cool advice. I will need to try it out with my employees. I agree that many people need to remember to provide positive feedback. Too often we focus solely on negatives.
I once read somewhere that while people crave prase we seldom give it.
I had copied this article to my boss and while he tries to spread the praise he mentioned he doesn’t get any back! Well I have to agree now that he pointed that out. It goes BOTH ways!
I guess my pointing out management tips is my way of sharing (I share because I care). I have now to remember to make more of an effort in praising the boss. This in itself has taught ME a lesson!