Recognise This! – It’s the “average” employees who make it possible for the “stars” to shine. Be sure to recognise and appreciate them, too.
Yesterday, I wrote about the retention fears of HR Pros and CEOs alike. Sadly, most surveys I see on this topic focus on top performers only. What about the “average” employees? Shouldn’t we be concerned about them as well?
Yes! As John Zappe put very well in his article “3 Management Suggestions for HR (From Someone Who Is Not in HR)”:
“Respect the average worker. Nobody wants to be average, yet statistically, the world is dominated by the average. Not by a little, but by a huge majority. That bulge in the bell curve is where most of us dwell. Look at any team, any company, any class and you find a few outstanding performers, a few dunces, and a great middle. That middle is the people who keep the engines of industry going.
“They aren’t going to get the big bonus or the big raise; the supply of average is large enough to keep their price and perks in check. But they deserve to be recognised and respected for the day-to-day work they do. How? By seeking them out on those management perambulations. By sending them a note of appreciation. By asking them to serve on one or another of the “special” committees. By just saying ‘thank you’ occasionally.”
What happens when you don’t respect the average? You get horror stories of “elites” rubbing the noses of the “average” in the rewards only available to the “elites.”
What happens when you do respect the average? As one commenter recently said: “Sometimes it can be cool just to know someone noticed.”
My recommendation – structure a strategic employee recognition programme that intentionally targets the top 80-90% of employees for recognition. Yes, the “stars” will still likely receive a higher proportion of praise and recognition. But the “average” will also be formally noticed and appreciated for their contributions that make it possible for your stars to shine.
Do you think “average” employees deserve recognition? What kind of recognition and appreciation have you received at work?
