by Michael Ray

Created on: April 20, 2009

Motivating employees, the recognition factor. While money has always been a strong motivational factor to work, recognition encourages individuals to do their best work.

Why do we work? For the money. When we begin our job or career money is a large motivational factor. What keeps us in that job is knowing our work is appreciated. There are always jobs that pay better, but we choose to stay. How many times have we heard or seen fellow employees patting themselves on the back for a job well done. They do this because they want recognition. As evil as it sounds, people bashing is another cry for recognition. We do it all the time. "Mary did 20 more pieces than I did but her work isn't as good". What these people are saying is "hey look at me".

There are many jobs that do not offer cash production incentives either. You punch the clock, you do your work, you go home. No one is telling them they'll get paid more if they work faster, produce a better product or get done sooner. They're locked in at their hourly pay rate. So how do we keep these people working? Encourage, acknowledgement and recognition. If there's one thing people have it's an ego, some more than others, but we all have one. This ego needs to be fueled and recognizing a persons accomplishments is the way this is done. Tell an employee they've done a good job, and they'll either continue to do so or they'll do a better job.

A company that promotes an individual is recognizing their accomplishments. They're thanking him for the work he's done. That employee realizes that his new job is a result of the effort he's put forth. Listen to people. They're not saying "I got promoted to a $22.50 an hour job". What you hear is "I am now the third assistant to the vice-presidents personal secretary". They want the recognition that goes with having that prestigious job!

A vast majority of us have a boss, and our boss has a boss and so on. Many of these bosses are on the lower rung of the administrative ladder and can only offer praise and recognition. It's the only motivation available to them. Employees understand this and continue to work even without any monetary incentive.

Not all jobs have anything to do with money. Why do teachers, firemen or policemen choose these jobs? To help their fellow man! These careers, and many others, are not chosen because someone wants to make a lot of money. We don't hear the facts and figures about how much these professions make. We do hear communities, towns and cities recognizing their efforts though, and letting them know how much they're appreciated.

To put it all in a nut shell and keep everyone happy, we'll say recognition is the key to keep employees motivated, and ultimately the reward we hope for comes in the form of money.

Good better best, never let it rest, until your good is better, and your better is the best. St. Jerome

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