Encouraged by the recognition, Sarah Lewsiton went home from work that day, full ofself-belief and wonder that she had made the leap at last.
In her last job, she had always felt that she was unsuitable, in fact below par, for the place. On her very first day at this new job, it was different. On the very first day,her supervisor had recognised her in a way that no-one had done before.
At 17,she had gone into the workplace ready to conquer the world. A positive girl,she had never understood that her hard work, unstoppable enthusiasm and keenwillingness might not be enough. At the last place, where she had worked fornearly two years, they had, subtly, yet consistently, knocked that out of her,through criticising, embarrassing and slighting her. So much so, that she hadchanged to be cynical, sceptical and sarcastic. In the end they had to part,badly, and it had taken a few weeks for Sarah to build the courage to go foranother job.
Yet on the very first day in the new place, someone had made herday, just by saying two little words - 'Well done'.
In life, especially in ourbusy workplaces, there is sometimes, no time, to say, 'Well done'. Yet we allknow how it feels when we are on the receiving end, just as Sarah did. It costsnothing, except a few moments and a bit of focus - but it makes the world of difference.
For Sarah Lewsiton,tomorrow would be another good day, because the culture was naturally supportive,encouraging and enlightened. And her place of work would come to benefit overthe years she would stay. She would contribute more, become a great team player,work well when delegated to and have simple, yet constructive ideas about how totake the business forward.
Two little words - that's all it takes.
Martin Haworth is a Business and Management Coach. He works worldwide,mainly by phone, with small business owners, managers and corporate leaders. Hehas hundreds of hints, tips and ideas at his website,
http://www.coaching-businesses-to-success.com (Note to editors. This article may be edited for use in your publication ornewsletter as long as a live link to the website is included)
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