6 Secrets for AMAZING Cultures

Hey Full Potential Zoners!

Teams that feel seen - deliver results that matter.

Recognition is more than just saying “good job”— it's about making your team feel valued and motivated.

And not just here and there -but each and every day where this becomes a habit.

A genuine part of the culture.

First a BIG thanks to our sponsor who keeps this newsletter free! 👇

Do you think Elon Musk spends his time worrying about payroll systems at SpaceX or Tesla?

Neither should you.

Great founders know that real growth comes from focusing on what matters most: finding product-market fit, scaling, and increasing the bottom line.

That’s where Chore comes in. We take the burden of operations & admin off your plate, so you can spend more time growing and less time worrying.

Your time isn’t just valuable - it’s irreplaceable.

The first 15 founders get 15% off their first month with Chore.

Click here to learn more

Please support our amazing sponsors!

When people feel seen, they feel valued.

When they feel valued, they give their best.

Not because they have to but because they want to.

Today we are going to help leaders master this by using:

‘Recognition That Works - Praise That Inspires, Rewards That Retain'. 

Let’s dive in!

6 Powerful Ways to Make Recognition Meaningful and Actionable

1. Personalized Acknowledgment

Scenario: Imagine you have a colleague named Sarah who recently completed a challenging project ahead of schedule.

Steps:

• Observe Specific Actions:

  • Notice the particular efforts Sarah made, such as late hours or innovative solutions.

• Choose the Right Moment:

  • Find a quiet time to speak with her, ensuring there are no distractions.

• Express Genuine Appreciation:

  • Say, "Sarah, I noticed you put in extra effort to finish the project early. Your dedication is truly impressive."

• Highlight the Impact:

  • Explain how her actions benefited the team or project outcomes.

• Encourage Continued Excellence:

  • Motivate her to keep up the great work by acknowledging her strengths.

2. Public Recognition

Scenario: Your team member, Alex, developed a new process that improved workflow efficiency.

Steps:

• Identify the Achievement:

  • Understand the specifics of Alex's contribution and its positive effects.

• Select an Appropriate Platform:

  • Choose a team meeting or company newsletter to share the accomplishment.

• Prepare Your Message:

  • Craft a concise statement highlighting Alex's innovation and its benefits.

• Deliver the Recognition:

  • During the meeting, say, "I want to acknowledge Alex for creating a process that has streamlined our workflow, saving us valuable time."

• Invite Applause or Further Comments:

  • Encourage the team to join in the recognition, creating a supportive environment.

  • Be sure team members are okay with receiving recognition like this in public (some prefer private recognition so better to ask!).

3. Peer-to-Peer Recognition

Scenario: In your workplace, you want to encourage team members to appreciate each other's efforts.

Steps:

• Introduce the Concept:

  • Explain the importance of peer recognition to your team.

• Provide Tools:

  • Set up a shared platform or a physical board where team members can post notes of appreciation.

• Model the Behavior:

  • Start by recognizing a peer yourself, setting an example for others.

• Encourage Regular Participation:

  • Remind team members to acknowledge each other's contributions regularly.

• Celebrate Collective Efforts:

  • Periodically review the shared recognitions and celebrate the team's collaborative spirit.

4. Celebrating Milestones

Scenario: Your colleague, Maria, is celebrating her five-year work anniversary.

Steps:

• Plan Ahead:

  • Note significant dates like anniversaries or project completions.

• Organize a Small Celebration:

  • Arrange a team lunch or a virtual gathering to honor the occasion.

• Prepare a Speech or Note:

  • Highlight Maria's key contributions and growth over the years.

• Present a Token of Appreciation:

  • Give a personalized gift or certificate recognizing her dedication.

• Encourage Team Participation:

  • Invite others to share their positive experiences working with Maria.

  • Be sure team members are okay with receiving recognition like this in public (some prefer private recognition so better to ask!).

5. Providing Opportunities for Growth

Scenario: Your team member, John, has shown interest in developing new skills.

Steps:

• Identify Interests:

  • Have a conversation with John to understand his career aspirations.

• Research Opportunities:

  • Look for relevant workshops, courses, or projects that align with his interests.

• Facilitate Access:

  • Help John enroll in a course or assign him a role in a project that will develop his skills.

• Provide Support:

  • Offer resources and mentorship to assist him in his development.

• Acknowledge Progress:

  • Regularly check in and recognize his growth and new contributions.

6. Spontaneous Acts of Appreciation

Scenario: Your coworker, Emma, stayed late to help you meet a deadline.

Steps:

• Recognize the Effort:

  • Acknowledge Emma's willingness to assist beyond her usual responsibilities.

• Express Immediate Gratitude:

  • Thank her as soon as possible after the assistance.

• Offer a Small Gesture:

  • Bring her favorite beverage/snack or write a thank-you note to show appreciation.

• Share the Story:

  • Tell your supervisor or team about Emma's helpfulness, giving her broader recognition.

  • Be sure team members are okay with receiving recognition like this in public (some prefer private recognition so better to ask!).

• Reciprocate in the Future:

  • Be ready to support Emma when she needs assistance, reinforcing a culture of mutual aid.

Public Recognition

In a recent consulting role, I observed that a team's pursuit of perfection led to delays and stress.

Team members were hesitant to share work until it was flawless, causing bottlenecks and missed deadlines.

To address this, I introduced a system of public recognition to encourage progress over perfection.

During weekly meetings, I had their leadership highlight individuals who shared drafts or ideas early, emphasizing the value of collaboration and iterative improvement.

For example, I had their leadership commend a team member who presented an initial concept, noting how early feedback could refine and strengthen the final product.

This approach shifted the team's mindset. Recognizing and rewarding early contributions reduced the fear of imperfection.

Team members became more open to sharing work-in-progress, leading to increased collaboration, faster turnaround times, and a more positive work environment.

Pro Tips:

Highlight Early Efforts:

• Publicly acknowledge team members who share preliminary work or ideas.

Celebrate Progress:

• Focus on the value of contributions at all stages, not just the final outcome.

Encourage Open Sharing:

• Create a safe space where team members feel comfortable presenting unfinished work.

Here's how you can make it real over the next 4 days:

Day 1: Identify

• Choose the recognition strategy you want to work on this week.

• Pinpoint a colleague or team member whose actions align with the recognition strategy you've selected.

• Observe their recent contributions or behaviors that stand out.

• AI Prompt:
  "Act as a workplace recognition expert. Help me identify a colleague who deserves recognition and why. Provide a three-step guide to spot meaningful contributions, including key behaviors to look for and how to tie them to team success."

Day 2: Plan

• Decide on a specific way to acknowledge this individual, ensuring it aligns with your chosen strategy.

• Consider their preferences and the context to make the recognition meaningful.

• AI Prompt:
  "Act as a workplace culture strategist. Help me choose the best way to acknowledge a colleague based on their personality and preferences which are [insert here]. Give me three recognition methods and a short message template for each."

Day 3: Execute

• Deliver the recognition as planned, whether it's through a public acknowledgment, a personal note, or another appropriate method.

• Be sincere and specific about what you are recognizing.

• AI Prompt:
  "Act as a communication expert. Help me craft a recognition message that is clear, specific, and meaningful. Provide a short template I can use in an email, a team meeting, or a handwritten note. Here are the details you will need for this [insert details here]."

Day 4: Reflect

• Assess the impact of your recognition effort on the individual and the broader team.

• Consider seeking feedback to understand its effectiveness and areas for improvement.

• AI Prompt:
  "Act as a leadership coach. Help me evaluate the impact of my recognition effort. This is what I did and what happened [insert here]. Give me three key questions to ask myself and one way to improve how I recognize others in the future."

What gets recognized gets repeated and improved over time.

People do their best work when they know it makes a difference.

Specific, timely recognition reinforces key behaviors that fuel success.

The best workplaces celebrate progress, not just end results.

People will always remember how they were valued, long after they leave.

I’ll say it again:

When people feel seen, they feel valued.

When they feel valued, they give their best.

Not because they have to - but because they want to.

Until next time and with lots of love,

Justin

This Week’s Growth Recommendations

Book To Read:  

"The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace" by Gary Chapman and Paul White (see it here)

TED Talk to Watch

"The Power of Appreciation" by Mike Robbins. (see it here)

👇 DID YOU SEE THIS? 👇

My AI Powered Leader Live Cohort sold out in 6 days.

Many of you have asked when the next one is...

🔥 GREAT NEWS! 🔥

I created an online version of it at a 94% lower cost!

🏆 Everything the live cohort has - just do it at your own pace

💰 The cost is 94% lower than the live program!

✔ Access at Your Own Pace
✔ Fraction of the Cost, Same Value
✔ Immediate ROI
✔ Lifetime Access
✔ Step-by-Step Action Plans
✔ No Guesswork
✔ Designed for All Levels
✔ Save Time, Cut Costs, and Reduce Stress
✔ Built for Leaders Who Want to Lead the Future

✅ AND SO MUCH MORE

👉 Don’t let another day pass without leveraging AI in your leadership

Unlock the Power of AI Today - click here

📑 Today’s PDF

Download today’s PDF by Clicking Here

📑 My Top 24 Cheat Sheets from 2024

Download All 24 PDFs by Clicking Here

Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe and get my free eBook Click Here

Want to Sponsor this newsletter or a LinkedIn post? Click Here