I posted on Twitter about the importance of rewarding your co-workers. I love Twitter, by the way. The ability to connect with fun, smart and quirky people is brilliant.
A friend on Twitter told me that she likes to create tags for her co-workers.
I asked her what she meant and she explained that she likes to give out random acts of kindness to the people she works with. She draws beautiful pictures on pricing tags. She sent me these photos so I could share them with you.
This is what she said about this work happiness technique:
I give them to the “benefits team” I make 15 every month and everyone gets one ( this includes 2 managers and one supervisor and 2 contract” men” and other counselors like me!), sometimes they are all the same and sometimes they vary a little depending on what supplies I have. They started out as a RAK -random act of kindness- in February and now have evolved into a coveted work happiness. It really is the little things in life that ease the way. So silly as it may seem they are not silly at all.
Just the other day the boss asked if we will continue this tradition into the New Year? And of course I said why not. She was thinking of ways to display them right now they reside on each office’s door we have little 3M message boards with sticky stuff on top (they stick great) and white board on the bottom.
By refusing to wait for our boss and/or co-workers to make us happy, we can take control of our own happiness. And when we have the control, we start creating happiness for others.
It’s all about feeling good. We may as well spread the joy.
Thank you Tamara for supplying the images. This post wouldn’t have had the impact without them.
* Want to build better relationships at work? Then sign up for the 10 Week Work Happy Now eCourse. (Sign up is in the top left corner). You'll receive a new lesson in your inbox every Monday.
* Naomi of Ittybiz has a brilliant series about goals. My favorite so far is Batshit Crazy: Creative Ways To Meet Your Goals. It's a must read, especially if you made a resolution to start off the New Year.
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This is a really interesting notion, since usually corporate praise, comes in a top-down format. The idea of "linear" or side-ways praise is awesome!
Co-workers giving each other a lift and recognition of a job well done is an example of taking initiative, above-and-beyond the call of duty.
Sadly, there is quite a bit of pathology in the corporate world. I can see some managers reprimanding an employee for congratulating an employee they consider to be in the "dog house". In a world of egos, a manager with issues might see it as a challenge to his authority.
Wow- Thanks for posting this 🙂
I so enjoy your blog Karl.
I am constantly thinking of the things I CAN do to take control of my work and happiness there. If I spend 8-9 hours a day there I need to like what I do and whom I do it with 🙂 I am the one who can make that happen.
We have a high stress time once a year for about 3 weeks ( open enrollment) at work. Today I was thinking of stress relievers and fun things we CAN do to help ourselves and co-workers not to get overly stressed during this upcoming period. So I made a few suggestions to the boss and supervisor. I will keep you posted as to what we decide to do for our happiness.
Last year we played lotto every week and watched "waking ned devine" together and laughed to think of winning the lotto and turning in our colective resignation. The year before we played office bingo for prizes during this stressful time. We watched the movie " office space " and laughed together.
Thanks For letting me show off the - happiness I make at work.
Tamara aka Queue_t
Karl,
It would seem the "traditional" way of rewarding co-workers is from the top down. Do good work, get recognized by the boss. So, I think this is brilliant - it's not about if this was a stellar month or not - it's about a small token of kindness! I love it!!
Tamara, thanks so much for sharing your creative side here - what a great way to add some fun and smiles to your workplace!
I think this is a great idea, and those tags really are beautiful! I'd love one, myself! (smile)
When leadership doesn't "get it," sometimes employees can successful be the change they seek.
Great post!
Hi DC, The corporate world can be pretty brutal. I think that's why it's even more important to pick each others' spirits up. If the boss/manager is that insecure then it's probably better to look for a new job.
Hi Queue T, I'm glad I was able to share your artwork with my audience. Sounds like you work has great company culture. Consider yourself blessed.
Hi Lance, Small tokens of kindness really do go far. We get too wrapped up in the big things, but at the end of the day the small things are the ones we remember.
Hi Megan, It's about putting the culture in the employees hands. Let them build each others' happiness and confidence and you'll get great results.
Don't you just love it when others share their insights and creativity. Everyone who reads this will be moved to do something. How can we not?
It just goes to show that when we do good we get good results.
Great point on driving your happiness from the inside out.
This is great. When giving stuff like this to your co-workers, its not just making friends with them but building harmonious workplace with you and your co-workers. It reflects also your personality. Being generous something like that.
This really is a Win, Win situation. You feel better for giving the recognition and we know many people desire recognition more than money.