Encouraging and Recognizing Your Team

In our weekly emails, we have looked at a number of organizations for inspiration, such as Disney, Southwest Airlines, and Apple. There are many great examples of leadership in the business world. But it’s good to occasionally recognize the examples that take place here in our own organization.

I watched one of these examples take place yesterday, and want to take a moment to write about the leadership I’ve seen in our HR Director, Keith Jenkins. Keith leads a fantastic team here in Human Resources. The group is engaged, and focuses on the mission of helping you, our leaders, as you create a great place to work for your teams, and help them to answer the Call to Care.

In our Wednesday morning staff huddles, the last thing on the agenda is usually “Kudos.” This is often sharing words of appreciation some of you have expressed about someone on our team. These moments are always encouraging. Last week’s meeting went a bit long, so the kudos section was left out. Keith said, “Let’s start with that next week.”

In yesterday’s meeting, after opening with a time of prayer, Keith jumped into the kudos. For nearly half an hour, he went one by one around the table and recognized what each person brings to the team. He talked about early memories, what led individuals to be invited to be part of the team. He talked about each person’s strengths, and how each one contributes to our mission every day. His words were kind, real, and sincere. I believe every one of us in that meeting came away encouraged, engaged, and motivated to give our absolute best as we carry on our work. There were some items on the agenda we didn’t get to because of this, but what happened there was very important for our team.

As I reflected on that meeting, I wondered – How do you recognize and affirm your team? What Keith did in our meeting yesterday fit his personality and leadership style. It may or may not fit yours. Some, doing the same thing, might come across as contrived or forced. Evaluating your own style, what is a way that you can accomplish this same encouragement and engagement with your team? Maybe it’s a word in public, as in our meeting. Maybe it’s handwritten notes. It can take a variety of forms, but the important thing for all of us as leaders is that we make it a priority to do those things that let those we serve know how important they are to our team.

In Called to Lead, Section 1, there is a wonderful quote: “Leadership is a serving relationship with others that inspires their growth and makes the world a better place.” (Lance Secretan, Inspire! What Great Leaders Do, 2004)