Valuing the Individual
By Cindy Ventrice
Recently, I worked with a manager who wanted to build greater rapport with her team. I gave her an assignment. I asked her to think about what was unique about each team member, how did they contribute to the work the team did, what did she most value about each individual's role within her organization?
She got back to me with her list. She had put a lot of though into it. One employee was great at relieving group stress by lightening things up. Another had a gift for organizing the work environment. A third was superb with difficult customers.
Her next assignment was to think of a symbol for each trait or behavior. These symbols should be something she could purchase for a few dollars: a puzzle for solving challenges, a silly mask for bringing humor to the workplace, a slinky for flexibility.
She made her list, shopped for and found appropriate items, then presented them at a meeting. She reported back the following:
- This exercise made her think about what was valuable about each person and increased her appreciation of the work they did.
- At the end of her presentation, she said, 'I hope you all know how much I value you.' One member of the team spoke up. She said, 'I do now.'
Your Turn
Want to build rapport? Do this exercise. Make a list of your employees. Note what is unique about each: characteristics, valued behaviors, specific ways in which they support the team. Once you have completed the list tell them what you value. You can do this a bit at a time, one on one or in team meetings, or you can go bigger and flashier and do what this manager did. Either way the payoff is worthwhile.
Want help determining the best way to show your team how important they are? Coaching can offer you a fast and effective way to achieve the results you want. For more information go to: www.maketheirday.com/coaching.htm.
