If you want those who work with / for you to continue to grow, you must episodically comment on the evolving quality of their efforts at work. Nothing and no-one grow without care and nourishment.
I think that this article is a wonderful reminder for leaders–regardless of the work setting, regardless of the leader’s tenure and experience. The surest way to diminish the quality of effort–whether dealing with a child, a co-worker, or a garden–is to ignore it.

Scott hits it on the head. This is the conundrum for leaders on using recognition as positive engagement: How does one recognize teams AND B-players, not neglecting A-players, AND not neglecting Executives (who need recognition too — and who studies tell us routinely receive less recognition than anyone — just higher “compensation”).
There’s good info in “The Carrot Principle,” about how the best orgs and managers try to do it correctly everyday. Short book, based on research, with great tips. Dan has had the authors on his radio show, and he can vouch for the smarts and executable tactics in that book. http://www.carrrots.com is a good site for answers to some of these question.

Personally, I have a post-it on my computer that asks me “who have I thanked today?” That helps me.

Gerald is right on the money. Gerald states the Governor has done a great job during her term in office. While leaders should recognize the worth of the members of their team, I believe recognition is a two way street which is why I offer the folowing observations: Governor Granholm is the leader of our state and she constantly travels great lengths to recognize citizens from around the state, state employees, police and firefighters, government workders, people who work at all levels in the private sector from the executive to the line worker, electrician or carpenter. She does this to promote our state and tell the world about how Michigan is a great place to live and work because of the contributions her team makes to dispell the notion that Michigan is on life support. I ask, how many of us have thanked the Governor for the tremendous job she has done in administering the affairs of our State? How many of us have congratulated the Governor on something she has achieved and thanked her for her tireless efforts in dealing with the economic chaos we face in Michigan which she had no role in creating? How many of us have written letters to the editor challenging news items that distort the Governor’s accomplishemnts or complained to media personalities (print or otherwise)about how they selectively manipulate coverage of issues she engages or gloss over her success in bringing jobs to Michigan? As you can tell Gerald hit a nerve but as I stated previously recognition is a two way street and while we would expect our leaders to acknowledge what their colleagues do well their is an equal obligation on those who are being led to recognize their leaders for the the positive marks they leave on the work place, society, and the community they function in.

I’m glad you mention this important but too often forgotten issue for leaders. Even those of us who do our best to do “all the right things” as leaders sometimes forget how important simple and regular recognition is for those we work with. By the way, I’m a recent subscriber to your newsletter and it is great!