[Stonehenge]

This article: http://articles.news.aol.com/busines...20064209990001

is a lot like many of the other articles I've read over the last few years about managing twentysomethings. And I don't like it. In fact, I fight it. I don't want to praise someone for doing something as spectacular as showing up for work.

Do you fight it too? Or do you throw confetti like one of the employer examples in the article? What things do you do to keep your people happy and motivated?

[Dale Wiley]

Back in the COMPASS days, that would come up all the time in the seminars. Our reply was ..

On time, regular daily attendance was a conditon of CONTINUTED EMPLOYMENT and bonus for such was unheard of, would not be considered and time to move on to the next item.

[autophil]

kids these days...

[Malrex]

Heh, I found that article ridiculous. I believe that it is important to recognize a job well done, but for showing up to work...ha!

I enjoy receiving praise, probably just like everyone else, but if someone throws confetti at me or gives me praises every 2 minutes...its going to feel shallow. I don't like receiving praise in front of large groups of people--makes me feel stupid and like I'm on a game show.

I use to work for this foreman in river erosion control. At work he was gruff and Mr. Serious. After work, a whole different person. He didn't give out praises much and expected alot. But when he did give out praise, usually in private, the good feeling would last a few weeks. I actually miss working for him.

I don't have any employees, but things that kept me motivated and happy when working for a landscape company was a mutual respect for one another. Honesty is another important aspect, good or bad. Respect and honesty towards me made me want to help the owner/comapny...it made me "feel apart" of the company and gave me pride for my work.

I had an owner who hired a business consultant to help clean up his business approach. There was a significant change in his attitude. Some of us worked our butts off all day, all week, and he would treat us like total garbage. People were hired and fired 1-2x a week. This change was the main reason I left and started my own business. He gave out praises alot, but his actions just made him look two-faced and made me not trust him.

[Hamons]

This a constant issue in education - obviously.

One person at the forefront of research on this is guy named Alfie Kohn.

Here si an article eh wrote about using bonuses in work places.

http://www.alfiekohn.org/managing/fbrftb.htm

[BigD]

As a "twenty-something," I fully agree with your bitterness toward this article and concept. Maybe it is my personality, but I would rather hear about the things that I am doing wrong then be over-complimented. I get nervous when I don't hear about the things that I am doing wrong because it makes me think that my supervisors do not see any potential or have any faith in my abilities. I too have had an employer/boss that only handed out compliments when they were deserved...and it felt awesome to get them. He also gave criticism when it was due and it initially sucked, but in the end I knew that he expected better of me and knew I had the potential to be better. I am going to school with a lot of "brilliant students" and now that they are in college, being taught by working professionals they, can't handle the criticism...which is no where near the criticism given out in the working world. Life isn't easy and no one is perfect...deal with it.

[TrickyDick]

I have to say that I personally find the whole idea pretty ridiculous and I'm not about to play around with that kind of thing. However....from the little I have heard of this it seems that there may be a real, inherent difference in the psychology of young people now and its not just a matter of saying "Kids these days" (which I say a lot even though I am only 33) and "when I was your age...." and trying to make them like us. If I were running a big company I think I would have to seriously consider the idea that if playing into this psychology, however distasteful it might be, is going to get more work done and make me more money than maybe it is worth it.

I never would have thought that napping on the job was a good idea but a lot of big corporations are encouraging it now and they're finding that it dramatically increases production. Things change.

So what's the most important thing.....sticking to your guns about how people SHOULD act or making your company more efficient and making more money? It's not an easy question to answer but it worth thinking about.

[papercutter]

Regardless of the size of your company, your employees (the ones who stay on) are going to reflect your values in your corporate culture. If you have a no-nonsense approach to work and treat employees like adults, those who value that will stick around and the rest will wash out. Personally, I couldn't handle working someplace where I got happy-happy-joy-joy voicemails and confetti thrown at me, especially before I made it to the coffee pot. Let me do my job, tell me when I screw up, pass along feedback from the client/ end-user, and make sure my paycheck clears.

Dave

[BigD]

I have been thinking about this a lot...for whatever reason and by over-doing it with praise, you continue to fuel an employee into doing great things isn't it worth? I guess if done on a case by case/personality by personality basis, it isn't that bad if the end result is getting accomplished in the best/most efficient way.

[Stonehenge]

Tricky, you hit the nail on the head. I don't like the idea of doing it, but wonder if it's something I'm going to have to learn to do. Like budgeting time every day for "attaboys". Seems superficial, and I'd have a hard time respecting people that would need that superficial propping up to be able to perform. But as BigD mentioned, if it has to be done to get results, you'd better learn to do it.

Interesting topic.

[Hamons]

I think gratutitous praise has the reverse effect you are looking for -- as mentioned in the article I cited -- fostering praise seeking workforce contributes to people who are only superficially motivated (you know the ones - always jumping up or speeding up when they see your truck round the corner) and non-thinking employees (but boss... you didn't say which way to turn the bush when I planted it.)

Genuine and heartfelt praise when warranted and honest and regular feedback are all good motivators -- gratuitous praise does not work.

[Nebraska]

Personally, I couldn't handle working someplace where I got happy-happy-joy-joy voicemails and confetti thrown at me, especially before I made it to the coffee pot. Let me do my job, tell me when I screw up, pass along feedback from the client/ end-user, and make sure my paycheck clears.

Papercutter, you're hired. When can you start!

[papercutter]

seemed appropriate:

http://www.despair.com/gettowork.html

Nebraska, I can start tomorrow. My commissions are high, but it's my required daily bouquet of "You're Special!" balloons that'll kill you.

[Stonehenge]

LOL - Papercutter, that's a hilarious link.

[Nebraska]

Funny stuff!