It’s important for organizations to recognize employees for contributions that truly exceed expectations.

Contributors value being recognized for their efforts and it can often incentivize other employees to up their game as well.

Let me give you two scenarios where someone is being recognized at the accounting firm board meeting.  This is what employees hear.

#1 “She is the best accountant in her department.  In fact, she is the best accountant in our firm.  She is the hardest working. She contributes the most to our firm.  She is the smartest we have by far.”

#2 “She is an excellent accountant.  The recruiting team did an excellent job as usual.  She is intelligent and knows her discipline well.  She is very hard working and always contributes as a problem solver for our clients.”  

The best recognition is one that pats an employee on the back for a job well done but doesn’t do it at the expense of the other employees.

If you were an accountant at this firm, which scenario would you rather hear at the board meeting?