Petra Dietrich’s Post

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.

what would happen if we celebrated *effort* more? everyone has goals – in all shapes and sizes and when we achieve them, we celebrate! when/if we don’t achieve them, we still worked incredibly hard, put in a lot of effort, and something simply didn’t go our way what would happen if we celebrated *effort* more? effort includes *all* the courageous parts… …sharing a new idea …being brave to try it …convincing someone else to try it …working incredibly hard on moving forward …and a million other things we can celebrate where can you celebrate *effort* more with your teams and yourself?

I spent yesterday afternoon and evening with our Racepoint Global Beacons, a group of folks recognized by their peers as stewards of RPG’s core values (authenticity, belonging, compassion), and behaviors (curiosity, service, growth mindset).   Beacons are voted in and serve a one-year term to act as advisors to leadership. We gather with intention, and they share feedback about how we're doing and where they see room for an improved employee (and client) experience.   It's a revealing exercise. What *I* think is clear doesn't always translate. The Beacons' feedback helps refine our approach--both to *building* our culture and the way we *talk* about it. We're communications people. We know that the words we use matter.   This kind of cross-functional and intergenerational upward feedback is incredibly valuable. I’m grateful for the energy and spirit these folks bring to it. (And for letting me take a .5x "ussie.") Thank you (left to right) Lynne Chen, Diego Rivera, Andrei Antonescu, Chandler Fowler, Carolyn (Brown) Regan, Jack Fulton, and Joyce Cho. 💡 How do you get regular 🔼 feedback? #Culture #Feedback #Belonging #InterGenerationalWork #ConversationsThatMatter

The Super Bowl is over. Your team won or lost. The debate about how great someone is or isn’t compared to someone else rages on with new stats to bolster your argument. And today, you wake up, put your pants on like you always do, and get back to your life. The question is, are you pursuing your life with the same intensity and fire as the people in that game? With the same intensity and fire that you were rooting for your team? If you are, good. I am genuinely happy for you. If you’re not, if you’re trudging through life waiting for the next experience you can enjoy vicariously, I want to take a second to encourage you to reconsider. It’s quite easy to do. Just think about something you like, something you’re interested in, something you’re passionate about, on any level, and dive in a little deeper. Take a class. Join a group and do the thing. Read a book about it. The reason those teams look so happy and so dejected at the end of the game has NOTHING to do with money, fame, accolades, or anything of the sort. The emotion is tied to the pursuit of greatness. Of pushing themselves to their limits. Of going after something knowing failure is likely. You don’t need a super bowl to be great, but you do need to take action. Cheers.

The surprising team-building lesson hidden in March Madness: Watching the Women's NCAA final between South Carolina and Iowa, two big takeaways really stood out to me. First off, Caitlin Clark is incredible. The kind of skill she showed (and shows) doesn’t just happen overnight. It’s all about putting in the work day in, day out, and really giving it everything you’ve got. It shows just how much heart and effort it takes to play at that level. But, the game also made it crystal clear that being a strong team is what really wins games. Watching South Carolina play was something else. Each player knew exactly what to do and did it perfectly. Their teamwork was amazing, and it didn’t give Iowa much chance to take the lead, after making those adjustments. A stat that really hit home was when they showed the bench points: South Carolina's bench racked up 37 points, but Iowa’s didn’t score any. That just goes to show how important every single player is to the team’s success. So, what’s the big lesson from this game? Teamwork makes the dream work. Sure, having standout stars like Caitlin Clark is awesome, but at the end of the day, it’s all about the team coming together that leads to winning. It’s a good reminder that whether it’s basketball or anything else in life, working together as a team is the best way to achieve great things.

"Experience is the hardest kind of teacher; it gives you the test first and the lesson afterward." This insightful adage encapsulates the profound nature of learning through life's trials and challenges. Unlike traditional forms of education where lessons precede tests, experience flips this sequence, often placing us in situations where we must confront difficulties and obstacles before fully understanding their implications. When we face a test in life, whether it's a personal crisis, a professional setback, or a moment of profound decision-making, we are often thrust into the midst of uncertainty. It's in these moments that we are tested not only in terms of our knowledge and skills but also in our resilience, adaptability, and emotional strength. The outcome of these tests, whether we succeed or falter, becomes a powerful source of learning. The "lesson afterward" refers to the reflection and understanding that comes only after we've navigated through the challenge. It's through introspection and analysis of our experiences that we glean insights, understand our strengths and weaknesses, and uncover valuable lessons that shape our future actions and decisions. This cycle of experiencing tests, facing challenges, and deriving lessons forms a continuous loop of personal growth and development. Each test becomes an opportunity to acquire wisdom and deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Moreover, this adage underscores the importance of resilience and a growth mindset. Instead of being discouraged by failures or setbacks, we should view them as integral parts of our learning journey. Each experience, whether positive or negative, contributes to our growth and prepares us better for future tests. In essence, while experience may be a tough and sometimes unforgiving teacher, it is also one of the most effective. It teaches us not just through words or theories, but through real-life challenges that shape our character, refine our abilities, and ultimately guide us towards becoming wiser and more capable individuals. #Experience #Growthmindset #EngB #LinkedInSuccessSuiteByChinelo

Who says recognition has to be all serious? Add a bit of fun to your appreciation and recognition programs with our playful miniature awards awards! At Pinnacle, we’re all about making people feel awesome—not just handing out another plaque. Awards people actually keep on their desks. Talk to us we are filled with ideas 🙂 Miniature Milestone Awards, for the all important or fun milestones people reached. Always Charged Up, For the super charged up people in your team. Ready to take on projects or always ready for fun. Proactive Planner, For the one who’s got it all figured out. They plan out everything to the T. Infinite Possibility, for people who turn ‘no way’ into ‘heck yes!’ Like a Rocket Award, their speed of work is amazing. Bomb of a Performance: Kaboom! the one absolutely smashing it at work or at your latest fun meet. #FunRecognition #EmployeeAppreciation #LoveRecognition #RecognitionMatters #MiniatureAwards #EmployeeEngagement #RecognitionDoneRight

"Standing on the top of the podium is a rare pleasure. You're at the peak, and you're being recognized for it. This is the level we all want to live in. We want to sit on top of the mountain, having done all the hard work, and be acknowledged and recognized for what we've achieved. We want to just stay there. The most important thing to remember about winning is that it's a by-product of the first four levels. You only get to win if you've gone through all four of the other levels first. So if you live for the award show, the followers, and the fame, you're going to be disappointed to discover that winning is rare and only accounts for a tiny fraction of the time you spend in your purpose. You have to love the lower parts. Life is not spent at the pinnacle. Those mountaintop events are only a tenth of 1 percent of the experience. Winners are still learning, experimenting, performing, and struggling. It's all part of the journey, and it's all valuable." Jay Shetty I'm not necessarily interested in the game, followers etc. but I definitely feel the disappointments deeply. Recently, I've uncovered unresolved rejection issues that a year ago I'd have brushed off; 6 months ago I'd have said were grounded only in relationship contexts; and today, I recognise permeates throughout my entire life and is particularly connected to the perception I have of myself. The process I love. Until I don't get results after 2 weeks. Then I jump into a new process because lack of progress means i'm being rejected and I'm being rejected because I'm not good enough and because I'm not good enough I have to find something else... This was supposed to be a short post to inspire thinking 🙈 I'd love to know if it brought anything up for you 🙂

The Trophy on the Shelf Doesn't Define You Remember that promotion you chased?  The award that gathered dust after a while? Many of us climb the ladder only to find a hollow echo at the top. Jackie Robinson, baseball legend, offered a powerful truth: "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." Our deepest worth lies in the positive influence we leave on others. Finding Purpose Beyond the Podium: We chase promotions, awards, and wealth, but sometimes a deeper question arises: “Am I making a difference?” True fulfillment comes from using your skills to help others. Remember that time you helped a colleague succeed?  The satisfaction from that likely outweighed any personal win. Here's how you, like Jackie Robinson, can leave a positive mark: - Find Your Superpower: ↳ Everyone has unique talents. Think about how yours can benefit others. - Robinson's Story:  ↳ He wasn't just a baseball star.  He used his platform to fight for civil rights,  showing the impact of using your voice. - Make a Difference Daily:  ↳ Volunteer, mentor, or  simply be there for someone in need.  Every little bit counts.      - Robinson in Action:  ↳ He volunteered in his community and supported youth programs. Small acts, big impact. - Build Bridges, Not Walls:  ↳ Meaningful connections fuel positive change.  Nurture relationships built on support and growth.      -Robinson's Ally:  ↳ His teammate Pee Wee Reese publicly supported him.  Strong connections create resilience and drive change. Your Legacy is Written in the Lives You Touch: ↳ Jackie Robinson used his talents to inspire and uplift others.  You can too! Find fulfillment by making a positive impact.  It's not about the trophies, but the difference you make. Ready to leave your mark?  Share your stories of impact in the comments below!  Let's inspire each other to create a legacy of positive change. #Legacy #PersonalGrowth #Inspiration

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