Have you heard of the American Idol or the Idol TV show? 

You definitely would have if you do not live in a cave!

The ultimate purpose of American Idol is to recognise the young crowd for their talent and provide them the opportunity to excel. Likewise, in an organisation, recognising an employee is done by acknowledging an employee’s effort or business result for clearly performing beyond normal expectations that supports the organisations goals and values. 

American Idol being a competition where they recognise and reward the winners develop a major motivation among the youngsters. This attracts the young crowd to take up the challenge and be determined to win. The participants are always focused on trying their best to perform better than the other.  In organisations, when employees know they will be rewarded and recognised for performing beyond expectations, they will be motivated to take up new challenges and stay focused on performing better. This also helps to bring the organisation to a better position.

Recognising the winners at the American Idol, sends out an extremely powerful communication to the recipient and the audience worldwide through the grapevines and formal communication channels such as the media. This is what encourages audience to watch this show and that is the reason for youngsters to participate. As organisations, when employees are being recognised and appreciated for their work through the team and company, it encourages the employees to perform better and most importantly, it retains the employees in the organisation. 

Praising, rewarding and recognising are essential for any outstanding workplace. People want to be respected and valued for their hard work and contribution. 

Make sure you ‘pat on the back’ of your employees to make them feel good when they have achieved beyond the expected!