And the Emmy goes to...you.
What difference would it make being recognized in your career, life, and attitude? A whole lot.
The son of a close friend of mine, James, won an Emmy a few weeks back for a piece he did. James (a great guy) had been quietly working as a development producer for some years now. But imagine how he felt the day after winning this Emmy - as though his whole life had changed. And it has.
But do we need to win an Emmy for that feeling? Not necessarily, but being recognized for our work does make a big difference. There are many people out there that deserve the equivalent of an Emmy each and every day and who often receive nothing more than a paycheck. And while money is wonderful, recognition can sometimes be even better.
Which is why it is important for companies to realize the impact it makes on an employee to be recognized for their work. When we are awarded for an achievement, all of a sudden the work that we do becomes lighter, more important, more fun. We all want to know and feel like we are making a difference. And when someone else sees it, we see it better in ourselves.
In fact, this is what Oprah Winfrey said in a Harvard commencement speech some years ago:
"I have to say that the single most important lesson I learned in 25 years talking every single day to people was that there’s a common denominator in our human experience….The common denominator that I found in every single interview is we want to be validated. We want to be understood."
Back to James. Now that he's been recognized, how do you think he'll approach his next piece of work? Certainly with more confidence, surely with more enthusiasm, and absolutely with a renewed determination. Who can you bestow those feeling on? Who in your circle can you recognize to give them the push they need to achieve even more?
And If you are in a company that doesn't recognize achievement, put together your own group that nominates one person a year. Set goals. Compete. Clap for the winners and keep working until you are one of them, because with hard work and determination there is absolutely no doubt that you will be.
Creator, screenwriter @De A Planeta Kids | EP/Writer, Documentary Producer, Voice Director
1moYou’re gonna need a trophy room.