The Leadership Training Activity Book: 50 Exercises

 Employees want open communication, and they want to be treated

with a sense of respect and trust. Leaders must encourage feedback

and suggestions, and they must pay attention to them.

 In one study of 1,500 people:

58% seldom, if ever, received personal thanks.

76% seldom, if ever, received written thanks.

81% seldom, if ever, received public praise.

 Important principles:

1. Top-motivating incentives must be initiated by the leaders
   themselves, and they must be based on performance.


2. Recognition must take place as soon as possible after the
   achievement.


3. Recognition must happen frequently. As Ken Blanchard says,
   Catch people doing things right!
   Step 4: Now it’s time to practice giving positive feedback. Explain the four parts
   of positive feedback with this example:

Isaw what you did.

I appreciate it.

Here’s why it is important.

Here’s how it made me feel.

Ask each pair to think of two people who deserve positive recognition.

Ask them to apply the formula just outlined and practice giving

recognition out loud with their partner.

Back in the total group, discuss how well this formula worked.

Discuss their responses and ask for suggestions as to how people can use

this method at work and at home.

Step 5: Close the session by lighting a candle and enthusiastically remind people

to keep the flame of enthusiasm and achievement burningby positively

recognizing their employees.

POST-ACTIVITY REVIEW

Take time shortly after conducting this activity to reflect on how it went, how engaged

the participants were, and what questions they raised. Then, make notes that include

how much time you actually spent on the activity.

(^300) THE LEADERSHIP TRAINING ACTIVITY BOOK