Topgrading

When we’re talking to individuals or groups about Topgrading, the conversation usually revolves around picking the right people.  We focus a lot on hiring and promoting right.  But what about the A players that already work for you?  Have you told them how much you love them lately?

 

Hugging and kissing at work is usually somewhat frowned upon, and saying “I love you” to a coworker may be a bit uncomfortable; but you should be expressing your love by consistently saying “Thank you.”  Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton’s research for The Carrot Principle (link) illustrated how woefully inadequate most managers are at expressing appreciation for a job well-done.  It makes sense.  Our experience talking with thousands of managers and our research shows that most managers do not have a team packed with high performers, and as the saying goes, “the squeaky wheel(s) gets the grease.”  In this context the grease is the manager’s time, and the result is inadequate attention being paid to the people who do not need help to deliver expected results. 

 

If you are a manager, you need to pay attention to your A players, or they will not be YOUR A players for very long.  Look for reasons to say thank you, and work to think of how to say it in creative ways.  We recommend using handwritten notes (using email just doesn’t cut it!).  Gostick and Elton warn against using cash as a reward, unless it is a significant amount of money (over $1,000).  Smaller amounts are forgotten almost as soon as they are given.  Instead of small monetary rewards, give people “lumpy rewards.”  Every time that individual sees or uses the gift, they will be reminded of how much you appreciate them.

 

Showing appreciation not only improves A players’ self-esteem, it makes good business sense.  Employees who feel appreciated are more apt to perform better and put in extra effort and less apt to leave your employ for a few extra dollars.  Performance improves, turnover declines, and retention rates increase, and those metrics are eventually reflected in your company’s bottom line.