Are Participation Trophies Hurting the Workplace?
Photo by tommao wang @tommaomaoer
YOU get a trophy! And YOU get a trophy! And YOU get a trophy!
We have developed a culture in which effort is considered success, not only in parenting but in the corporate world.
I do believe that this was born out of a genuine desire to be more positive, supportive, and encouraging than previous generations were thought to be.
But have we taken it too far? I won’t venture into parenting here, but let’s consider how this culture might play out in the workplace.
Let’s assume three distinctions in companies:
Meeting expectations: Also known as “doing your job”, i.e., showing up on time, completing the work assigned to your job function, and treating your fellow employees respectfully.
Exceeding expectations: This could include improving a process or product, initiating new processes or products, going the extra mile for customers/clients, or teaching skills to others.
Results: These are what keep the lights on and the paychecks coming. Unless the company and its employees can continue to deliver on their promises to customers and clients, the decline is inevitable.
In general, it is the employees who do not just meet expectations but exceed them that help deliver the necessary results. Trying hard is great, but the company needs results to thrive. Recognizing employees for just meeting expectations is likely to yield more of the same.
This is where good leadership becomes necessary. Clearly, leaders need to ensure everyone for whom they are responsible is at least meeting expectations. However, leaders need to hold themselves accountable for creating a culture of exceeding expectations to deliver results. In order to accomplish this, Here are a few recommendations:
Work alongside your team to identify, understand and analyze the challenges and problems with which the team is tasked as well as new ideas, potential problems, and potential opportunities.
Set ambitious goals, which are within the realm of possibilities. We all love BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals!), but if they are too far out of reach, then why expend extra effort to achieve them?
Develop strategies and tactics around those goals, as well as means to measure their success so that you can pivot quickly to alternatives if necessary.
RECOGNIZE the extra effort when individuals and/or teams exceed the expectations of the plans.
RECOGNIZE results!
It is vital that leaders recognize, call out, or celebrate the extra effort the team expends to achieve results. If we only recognize results, we risk losing extra effort that may not have been successful but was nonetheless key to achieving the eventual goals. Your people need to feel safe proposing, trying, and failing with new ideas, whether or not they are successful or end up falling short of the hoped-for results.
I understand that my point of view is somewhat controversial (especially to parents!) and I welcome your take on this.
Please let me know your thoughts!
Fundamental of the Week #14: DELIVER RESULTS
Set high goals without overpromising. Track and measure your progress, and hold yourself and others accountable for delivering consistent results.
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