JULY 26

“When people work in a place that cares about them, they contribute a lot more than duty.”

—Dennis Hayes, Hayes Microcomputer Products

GET MORE OUT OF THEM

We often tell managers that their employees are cold-blooded. Not in a negative sense, of course. What we mean is that employee energy level and productivity—even attitude—change to match the environment.

A colleague of ours illustrates the point perfectly. The other day, he mentioned two former supervisors. One, named Rama, was skilled at recognition. The other, well…wasn’t.

“Did I ever work sixty-hour weeks for her [on salary]?” he shook his head. “But I did for Rama.”

You see, without external motivators, employees tend to slow down, and their performance can get a little sluggish. In contrast, when recognition is present, they’re on top of their game.

So, now, what’s the climate like in your department?