A security expert who worked with convenience stores, embarked upon a study to determine why certain locations were selected to be robbed. He visited people serving time in prison for this crime and asked them a simple question: How did you decide which store to rob?

  He expected answers from lighting to location to staffing levels. What he did not expect was the response he got: If we went into a store and the clerk smiled at us, we left and chose a different store.

  Why? What difference did it make if the cashier smiled their way? I pondered this and think I know the reason – if someone smiles at you, it means they have noticed you and that is the last thing someone about to commit a crime wants. Smiling creates a connection.

  While recognition is the last thing a criminal wants, it is exactly the thing your staff (and you) need. Everything from the cursory, “good morning” to the employee of the month award to an all expense paid vacation to Bora Bora. Somewhere in between all of these options is the right balance between an employee who feels ignored and one who feels appreciated.

  We are creatures who desire positive external validation. We want our ideas to be heard, our goals to be nurtured, our efforts applauded. Some need this more than others, but deep down we all just want someone to notice us. It satisfies our ego, assuages our inner child and makes us feel good about the work we are doing.

  Recognition is a two-way street. As much as the employee wants their boss to sit down and sincerely thank them for their efforts, so too does the boss want to be acknowledged for the efforts that they put in. Think for a moment the last time you complimented someone on the work they did, their contribution to the overall goals of your business or some small task that you noticed they handled exceptionally well. Think about when you last went to management and expressed gratitude for the long hours they spend insuring the viability of the business. Bosses Day is every day. Forget “employee of the month” and substitute “employee of the day” or the hour. “Thank you” is so easy to say, but back it up with examples of what you witnessed them doing or saying.

  Find fun ways to make their day. At Mount Calvary Cemetery the management hosts a pancake breakfast every year for the field employees. They man the griddle, fry the bacon, scramble the eggs – all with the skill of a Master Chef on the Food Network. On especially hot days, popsicles are distributed and on bitter cold days, hot chocolate is the drink of the day. All is done with a sense of fun, camaraderie and appreciation.

  Gratitude takes many forms and what works for one person is different from the next. The most skilled managers know their employees and how best to motivate, guide and acknowledge each individual. I once read the story of a lawyer who had a secretary that loved to ballroom dance. Every month, at an unexpected time, he would call her into his office, put on music and they would dance one dance. It was silly, it was appropriate and it made her feel good. Now that is not likely to work for anyone you work with, but think about what is important to them and how you can use this knowledge to acknowledge. It doesn’t have to cost much money, time or energy to show that you care, but the rewards of doing so will be evident, appreciated and reciprocated in unexpected ways.