“There are two things people want more than sex and money… recognition and praise” – Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay corporation

The challenge of seeking recognition

As members of a support industry, audiovisual engineers and information technologists often find themselves serving others more than they seek to be served. After all, service is a big part of the job. Leaders who focus on their teams have to balance giving credit for success while not taking on all of the blame for failures.  

The benefits of sharing successes and failures

Teams truly win and succeed together, which also means they fail and stumble together as well.

Just as in any system we might build, a unit is only as strong as the sum of its parts. Giving credit where it is due helps to reinforce the patterns and habits we want to see repeated on our teams. Sharing credit for failure does the same thing, as it helps model the notion that everything is not going to be perfect in a business context, and learning is the most important thing in a scenario of absent success.

In this episode of brAVe [skills], hosts Britt Yenser and Leon Prather explore the desire for recognition and praise, emphasizing its impact in professional environments. We dive into the art of giving praise that truly resonates, discussing how specific and thoughtful feedback can elevate motivation and performance. 

The conversation shifts to what you can do when you feel your hard work goes unnoticed, offering strategies to self-advocate and communicate your value without sounding boastful. Later, we tackle the delicate balance between giving and taking credit, especially in collaborative settings, and provide insights on how to navigate situations where credit might be unfairly distributed. A thought-provoking segment addresses the question of who should take responsibility when things go wrong, emphasizing the importance of shared accountability and "failing forward."

 The episode concludes with actionable takeaways, encouraging listeners to reflect on how they give and receive praise, advocate for their contributions, and approach both success and failure with a growth mindset.

BONUS: In response to a listener’s question about negotiating a salary offer, the hosts provide practical tips on preparing for the conversation, advocating for yourself, and aligning your compensation with your value.

Find your tribe

This show is also being released monthly on HigherEdAV.com (shoutout to HETMA - check them out!), AVIXA.TV, Youtube, Amazon, iHeartRadio, and of course -- here in this community. If you do not yet have a community, consider reaching out to one, or at the very least, Britt Yenser, CTS and I are here to keep the dialog going!

If you know of any more resources you would recommend, share them for folks in the comments here!

Submit a Topic

This is a show for you. We want it to be useful for YOU. Click this link >>>> to Submit a Topic or Question (anonymously) for us to discuss on the show!

#leadership #leadershipdevelopment #personaldevelopment #professionaldevelopment #investinginyouisimportanttoo