“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”
—Dale Carnegie, author and trainer
You’ve got to love the self-centered woman at the bar who is overheard saying, “Yes, well, enough about me…what do you think of my dress?”
Often, as managers and leaders, we think the workplace should revolve around us. After all, we are at the top and people should be interested in what we do and what we think. Wrong! As leaders we need to be interested in the people working with us.
What do you really know about your people? Do you know their hobbies and passions? Any pets? Family members?
What you don’t know can hurt you, especially when creating recognition moments. Imagine giving a bottle of champagne to an employee who doesn’t drink! Sound stupid? It was. We know because Chester was the employee. And it happens all the time to managers who don’t know their people.
Recognition is communication. When you take time to get to know your people, it communicates that you care.