I received a humbling honor this week, reminding me of the importance of recognition.
Recognition not only feels good for the recipient, it motivates and unifies the team around you. Take time to recognize leaders publicly as a way to say thanks and focus your team on the larger goal.
What a week!
The South Dakota Innovation Expo concluded Thursday. I was in the back running the soundboard when it was time to give away the Spirit of Entrepreneurship award.
This award has always been given to investors, inventors and business leaders who have worked for decades in the region. As I turned the volume up they started talking about “…starting a company five years ago with his brother” and “…writing the Digital Homesteading blog and working on building community.” They were talking about me!
It was a great surprise and honor to receive the award. What’s more important is what the award does for others in the crowd and on my team. The act of giving recognition empowers the giver and ties the receiver and giver together in their mission.
The Reward of Giving
Simon Sinek noted the chemical basis and importance of giving in his Inbound keynote. As he puts it, receiving an award or recognition gives the recipient a shot of dopamine. They are rewarded for their work and feel honored by everyone clapping for them.
An important secondary effect also takes place. The people behind the award recipient receive a shot of serotonin. Serotonin is the chemical behind pride. It makes us feel good when other people are recognized or when we help someone else. Serotonin is also vital because it helps groups stay together and focused on a goal.
Only one person can receive an award, but an entire audience can be thanked for their part in helping the person get the award.
In my case, I could not have received the award without my brother, the 9 Clouds team, all the community volunteers and key members of the audience who have supported my business and ideas. By standing up and thanking them, they feel good. More importantly, they are re-energized to continue building the entrepreneurial community.
Unifying a Team
Whatever your project or goal, you rely on others to help you get there. Giving is a powerful motivator that unifies your team.
Recognize a leading team member for their efforts, but do so in front of everyone. Make the entire team feel responsible for the success of those leading them.
Receiving an award is an honor. Helping someone else receive an award is a motivator.
The Spirit of Entrepreneurship award is a tremendous honor, but it’s also a reminder of the work to be done. There is enormous potential in my home community just as there is in your community.
Find the key people who are helping you create your business and community. Thank them. Reward them. This simple act of recognition will help them further commit to your cause.
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