Are your recognition efforts backfiring? Try these steps

Are your recognition efforts backfiring? Try these steps | Show employees with disabilities that you value them | Want to become a better leader? Follow these strategies Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( January 19, 2023 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE](  [] Leading the Way [] [Are your recognition efforts backfiring? Try these steps]( [Are your recognition efforts backfiring? Try these steps]( (Tara Moore/Getty Images) Recognition can energize your team individually and corporately, but only if it's meaningful to employees, writes Jim Clemmer, who notes that money and promotions aren't always motivational while time off, handwritten notes and praise for improvement over achievement can be. "Helping people grow, expand, and take on new challenges are some of the best ways to show sincere recognition and genuine appreciation for their development efforts," Clemmer writes. Put it into practice: Get your team enthusiastic about innovation and creativity by recognizing "good tries," or even mistakes that led to deeper organizational learning, Clemmer suggests. Full Story: [The CLEMMER Group]( (1/18) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Show employees with disabilities that you value them]( Make your company more welcoming to employees with disabilities by assessing what kind of accommodations are needed, training managers to talk with current workers about their needs and including a list of available arrangements to prospective employees, writes Liz Kislik. "If people see that disabilities are understood and accepted as a normal part of your workplace culture, they'll feel much more accepted," Kislik writes. Put it into practice: Use assessment tools such as the [Disability Equality Index]( and the [Job Accommodation Network]( to identify areas where you company may need improvement to meet the needs of employees with disabilities. Full Story: [Forbes (tiered subscription model)]( (1/17) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBrief on Leadership [] [Want to become a better leader? Follow these strategies]( Continue your growth as a leader by taking time to reflect on your values, explore what behaviors you would need to adopt to continue to meet those goals, consider how effectively you communicate with others and re-evaluate your goals as needed, writes LaRae Quy. "A healthy person with a strong mind is someone who continuously grows and evolves to become the best version of themselves," Quy writes. Put it into practice: "The only difference between a rut and a coffin are the dimensions," Quy writes. This is a reminder to take time to review your goals and values to see whether you've been co-opted by "groupthink" or if you're still following your own North Star. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (1/18) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Read more]( from LaRae Quy on SmartBrief on Leadership [] Smarter Communication [] [Why the second question is more important than the first]( [Why the second question is more important than the first]( (Pixabay) Improve communication and connection by asking a specific question, such as "What's working?" to switch negative thoughts to positive, then follow up with question that invites deeper reflection or expansion on their first answer, writes Dan Rockwell. "Ask questions that lead to action," Rockwell writes. Put it into practice: If you've carefully chosen your first question, the follow-up can help you learn more by asking them to say more on their original thought or seek out what kind of options for action may come to their mind. Full Story: [Leadership Freak]( (1/18) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [4 Simple Productivity Improvement Points To Dominate Your Day]( - [The Ultimate Guide To Developing Self-Discipline]( - [30 Life Lessons Learned in 30 Years]( - [How to Find Average Salary Information for US Workers]( - ["I Will Teach You to be Rich" Book Summary]( [] Future of Work Your work future could include ... [] - [Front-line flexibility, DEI, employee support will grow in 2023]( Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model) (1/18) [] - [Report: Older workers prefer remote, while younger ones want offices]( Computerworld (1/18) [] - [Companies are honing their hybrid work policies in 2023]( Knowledge@Wharton (1/17) [] In Their Own Words [] [Want to improve your company? Create a "micro family"]( Leaders can "make business more personal" by creating a "micro family" culture that fosters trust and honesty and setting the example by being open and celebrating the team's success, writes Donda Mullis, founder of Raw Sugar Living. "I find it critical to lead with transparency, gratitude, camaraderie, and empathy, especially in a volatile environment of layoffs, instability, and change," Mullis writes. Full Story: [Fast Company (tiered subscription model)]( (1/15) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [How are yawns and laughter similar? They're contagious]( Laughter is a lot like a yawn, according to researchers, in that it can be contagious, which can help us bond with others and signal a playful demeanor or atmosphere. "Contagious laughter demonstrates affection and affiliation," says Sophie Scott, a neuroscientist at University College London. Full Story: [The Washington Post]( (1/15) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] About The Editor [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Candace Chellew I've been asking some questions in this section of the brief, and you've been answering. I recently asked about your preference for working from home or in the office. Jen N. wrote about how she started working remotely right before the pandemic and says she'll never go back. "I can build relationships through video chats and my work is what needs to stand on its own, not my physical location," Jen writes. Tim W. writes that he worried about how working from home would affect his style and productivity, but after remaking a room into a home office, things are better. He realized though that he missed being with people and attends his office's virtual happy hours and quarterly in-person gatherings. "When I want to be around people, I work from the library," Tim notes. Thanks for all the feedback! If this newsletter helps you, please tell your colleagues, friends or anyone who can benefit. Forward them this email, or [send this link](. What topics do you see in your daily work that I should know about? Do you have praise? Criticism? [Drop me a note](mailto:candace.chellew@futurenet.com). And don't forget to send me photos of your pets, your office and where you spend your time off. 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