Engagement / Recognition / Respect training

[Anja Schuetz]

Hi everyone,

does anyone have some tips for me how to spice up a training session (for managers) on above subject with (fun) "engaging" exercises?

I'm not talking about role plays or anything - an "exercise" could be something as simple as a questionnaire on a hand out on "how well do you know your team" or "how much do you really respect the following people" giving a list of i.e. mother, father, each one of their direct reports, some questionable celebrities, a beggar on the street, street cleaners etc... - Things that can be discussed and debated afterwards and raise the awareness in the participants on those subjects. I.e. do we really show respect to everyone? Or it could be something completely different. I'd like to make an active session out of this, with lots of prompts for discussion.

I'm still looking for something nice on the subject of Recognition...

Thank you for all your ideas!
Anja

[Derek Irvine]

Recognition exercise: Ask participants to recall the last time they were recognized at work. How long ago was it? Was it positive or negative recognition? (We often don't realize that, sadly, many employees experience negative recognition far more often than positive recognition.) Was it enjoyable? What did that recognition mean to them on a personal level? How did it impact or influence their future effort?

Then ask them the last time they recognized someone else. (use the same questions, asking them to really reflect on employee response/feeling as best they can).

Any number of things can come out of this. Even in companies with excellent recognition programs, managers will often discover they receive very little recognition.

[Terrence Seamon]

Anja,
Many years ago, when I was with a global pharma-chem company, we had a recognition training program that was a big hit with our employees. It was very similar in spirit to what you are describing.
The main purpose of the program was to raise awareness, at the gut, heart, and head levels, of the importance of feeling recognized and appreciated.
I wish I still had an outline I could send, but it is gone with the wind.
I would "second" Derek's answer, and add that the more you can personalize this training, the better.
Best wishes!
Terry

[Peter Hart]

Anja, one thing you could use are a series of recognition related questions. Get the audience to give the answer. For instance, you could ask what is the average turnover rate in the company with three possible answers. Get a show of hands on the answer. Relate the questions to the topics you are covering in your training. Make it fun! peter

[Anja Schuetz]

Hi everyone,
thank you for all your suggestions so far!

Derek - thanks for reminding me of "negative recognition"! I would have totally ignored that one. This reminded me of how negative experiences last way longer in our memories than positive ones and how both impact our behaviour accordingly. I can make a much better point in my presentation now and convince them why POSITIVE recognition is so important. THANK YOU!

Anja :)

[Terrence Seamon]

Anja,
I just started reading a slim little book called The Power of Acknowledgement by Judith Umlas, that you might want to check out and consider as a handout to accompany your program.
Terry

[Anja Schuetz]

Thanks, Terry, I'll look that up! Might be a too late for this one, but I'm hoping this session will be the first of many, so will use it for the future.

Anja