Home › Practical support & advice › Management community › Blogs

Are you celebrating the Beth Tweddle's in your company?

Submitted by Adrian Gaskell MCMI on Tue, 20/10/2009 - 11:33

This weekend saw two Britons crowned world champion in their respective sports - Jenson Button roaring to victory in the Formula 1 World Championbeth tweddleships, and Beth Tweddle winning a gold medal on the floor exercise at the World Gymanastic Championships.  It's unfair on both individuals to focus on the merits of each activity as both are incredibly difficult achievements in their own right.  Where they differ however is in the publicity both receive.  Formula 1 is a global sport watched by millions of people each weekend.  Gymnastics by contrast enjoys rather more limited tv appeal.

It seems hard to dispute that it was this popular disparity that encouraged Gordon Brown to send his congratulations to Jenson Button for his victory, but not to Beth Tweddle for hers.  With Button the limelight was greater, the bang for his buck more considerable.  It sets a poor example to leaders across the land however.  Your company thrives not just on the efforts of those in the limelight.  There are many talented Beth Tweddle's in your company that deserve and warrant your praise just as much as the high profile Jenson Button's of your world.

So make that your task for the day.  Find an unsung hero in your company and show your appreciation for the work they do.

Related Content: 
I'd expected more headhunters to call
It's time to fill your diary if you're looking for a new job
My business book of the week - Understanding the small business sector - by David Storey
What do a former arctic trawlerman, a former human resource manager in the gas industry, CMI member Emma Grant, and a book about Twitter have in common?
Calling a halt to mindless change - 13 years on, have we learnt the lesson yet?
You are not watching this post, click to start watching

Comments

Submitted by on Tue, 20/10/2009 - 17:19

I think Beth's exploits are worthy of more praise given they are all down to her. Jensen is a terrific champion but if he'd been in a McClaren....

Submitted by on Fri, 23/10/2009 - 21:31

Exactly right. As the research and industry leaders have said:

• “Invest in the core. The key to driving productivity gains is increasing engagement among core contributors, who represent 60 percent of the typical workforce. Highly engaged employees are already working at or near their peak but are often limited by their less engaged co-workers. Focusing on engaging core contributors can improve both groups' productivity.” – Watson Wyatt Worldwide, 2008/2009 WorkUSA Report

• “The middle 70 percent are managed differently. This group of people is enormously valuable to any company; you simply cannot function without their skills, energy, and commitment. After all, they are the majority of your employees. But everyone in the middle 70 needs to be motivated, and made to feel as if they truly belong. You do not want to lose the vast majority of your middle 70 – you want to improve them.” – Jack Welch, Winning

Links to original research here: http://globoforce.blogspot.com/2009/04/employee-recognition-who-do-you-i...

Submitted by on Fri, 23/10/2009 - 23:43

Hi Adi - couldn't agree with you more!