1. I do not know how to rocognize others.  The truth is, you have to start somewhere.  Even if you mess up giving it, who cares, you tried.

2.  I am too busy.  We are all busy, but we seem to find time to do what is important to us.  Maybe we need to adjust our priorities and move recognition up on our list.  And, let's be honest, how long does it take to make a little note, or even just to say, "Thank you." or "I really appreciate you doing that?"

3.  No one cares about recognition anymore, they just want to make money.  We know this is a lie.  Think about how we feel when others recognize our efforts and hard work.  People like having their egos stroked and being made to feel important. 

4.  Only boses are to give rocognition.  WRONG!  It is up to each of us.  Don't we feel good when we work in an environment of supportive co workers?  If we want that environment, it is up to each of us to help create that. 

5.  Why should I reward someone for doing what they are paid to do?  Remember we are not talking rewarding someone, we are talking about showing respect, recognition, and acknowleging a job well done.  When we do this we are reinforcing that they are doing the right things, and that we appreciate them being there and doing their job the right way.  Let them know that they are helping make your job easier.  People like knowing that they are a part of the team.  Besides what does it hurt to buy them a sandwich from time to time to show that we care about them.

6.  If I do it all the time, then it doesn't mean much.  This may be true sometimes, but do you know how many "Thank you's" or "Good job's" that would take?  Besides, if we are being sincere when we say it, that will come through loud and clear, just like if we are just saying words, but not being sincere.  People love being where they are truly wanted and appreciated.

7.  What can I do?  I am a nobody at work.  I have seen people who were the lowest employees in a company, telling the high ups how much they appreciated them and the job they were doing.  When someone, no matter who it is, tells you they appreciate you and what you do, you feel good, and want to share that feeling with others.  It reminds me of a commercial I have seen, where one person holds a door open for someone.  That someone, in turn, does something nice for someone else, and so on, and so on.  It all can start from a kind word or smile or nod.  We have no idea how much we can impact someone else by our great attitude.  The same is true with our lousey attitude.  It is our decision, "How am I going to affect someone elses world today?"

8.  But I feel awkward and I am not comfortable doing it.  So what.  Everything thing we do in life, for the first time was difficult, awkward and uncomfortable, but we moved through it.  The more we did it the easier it has become.  If recognizing others isn't comfortable, we need to practice it more and more.  Again, people like being around people who appreciate them. 

9.  I don't want other to think that they have made it and stop working.  This is ridiculious.  Do we slow down when we have others appreciate us and make us feel like a viable member of the team?  Some people may slow down, but most will work harder than before.  I have seen this in my own life.  We have more affect on the job others do, than we realize.  We really can set the tone for our workplace.

10.  No one is giving me any recognition, so why should I give it to anyone else?  No one cares what I do, so why should I?  Get your eyes off of yourself for a minute, and look at others.  This reminds me of a sceene from "What Women Want."  It is a sceene where there is a girl who is a nobody in the office.  She works hard, but is basically invisible.  People just walk on by her.  She is thinking about suicide and that noone would even miss her when she is gone.  She drops some books, and Mel Gibson helps her pick them up.  She is overwhelmed that someone, especially him, would help her.  (It did help that Mel could hear her thoughts).  We may not be able to hear others thoughts, but we all feel basically the same way.  Maybe we are a strong person who doesn't need to be recognized by others, but most aren't.  Think about how we could change someone day or life.  Besides, we all know how it feels when we are taken advantage of or for granted.  Just because we have been wronged, don't let us rationialize why we can do it to others.

It is time for us to be standup people and start showing others that we care about them and the job they do.  Smile at someone today.  Say good morning or Hi to others.  Go the extra mile.  You will be glad you did.

Earl "The Pearl" Sorrells