When I hear the word “rewards” I think about the foundational elements of any employee and employer relationship. You must get these things right or you won’t be able to attract, retain, and engage your team members.

· Cash compensation in the form of base pay, short-term incentives like bonuses and commissions, and long-term incentives (equity or cash).

· Don’t forget overtime pay, spot awards, stipends, and allowances.

· And then there are benefits like health insurance, life insurance, dental, vision, paid time off, disability, and retirement.

Recognition causes me to think of two thought leaders and their frameworks.

@Patty Beach and your actions aligned to SHUVA:

· S - Seen

· H - Heard

· U - Understood

· V - Valued

· A - Appreciated

@Zach Mercurio, Ph.D. and What It Means to Matter:

· N – Noticed: People feel seen and heard.

· A – Affirmed: People see how their unique strengths make a unique difference.

· N – Needed: People feel relied on, indispensable, and essential.

Relationships – This is the secret to success.

I like the Nonviolent Communication or NVC process developed by Dr. Marshall B. Rosenberg. It provides a framework to express and receive communication empathically. @Kathy Ziola is a terrific teacher of this approach.

· O- Observations

· F - Feelings

· N - Needs

· R – Requests

And finally, the outcomes or results.

At the end of the day if you don’t get the rewards, recognition, and relationships right, you won’t get the results you need in business or in your personal life.

It’s that simple. And it is that difficult.

Don’t stop at the rewards level. Be sure to keep going with an intentional focus and education on how to get recognition and relationships right.

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