A New Recipe for Engagement

Recently, when I asked several audiences how they defined encouragement, they struggled to express a common meaning they could agree on.

I was intrigued.

We think we know what encouragement is, and many define it very differently from the rest.

Many define it as a pat on the back or simply telling someone they can do something.

I call that Encouragement Lite.”

When we define it this way, we are missing one of the most powerful tools that engage, connect, and recognize others.

Encouragement is a set of skills to be learned and practiced at a high level. It’s the ultimate in Emotional Intelligence.

I have been lucky enough to work in one company and currently participate in another that values, teaches, and practices encouragement throughout the entire organization. They are so unlike many others I have seen or worked in; there is no comparison. I have been in the workforce for over 20 years, a pretty small number considering how long I’ve been working.

Everyone who experiences working in a culture like this loves it. They grow in ways they never expected and enjoy the experience. Goals are met, many times exceeded early – you get the drill.

Thousands of dollars are spent on finding and retaining human capital. People leave because they are often treated badly by a boss or manager who should have been fired years ago but got passed up the chain to the point where now, he/she can make everyone miserable. Or they don’t have a path for growth, are disconnected, or are undervalued.

What is so interesting is that when there is commitment at the top for learning these skills and employing them throughout an organization, including the C Suite, magic happens.

This may not be rocket science, but encouragement IS ROCKET FUEL.

#theencouragmentproject, #leadershipskills, #emotionalintelligenceforleaders,

P.S. I’m starting a Beta for a workshop learning to use the skills of encouragement. If you’re interested, please email me at dale@theencouragementproject.com