The Employee Recognition Program at Minnesota State Mankato is designed to help supervisors recognize and employees feel the value of their contributions to our university. Recognition of employees is a vital aspect to supervision and performance management:
"Part of what moves us along in our work path is the recognition we receive from people around us." Geoff Bellman, Your Signature Path
A sincere expression of appreciation from a supervisor, coworker, or client that recognizes an employee's contribution can increase the employee's self-esteem and motivation. Take time to recognize these special contributions.
Excellent presentations spotlight the individual recipient and include these elements:
Some situations are more difficult than others, some suggestions include:
When the recipients' accomplishments are not easily identified or the recipient is an underachiever: Use specifics such as years of service. Focus on personal qualities such as reliability, friendliness, neatness, courtesy. Mention interests away from work, hobbies, or community involvement.
When the university is facing hard times: Focus on individual effort and contributions. Be honest about circumstances. Make sure the recipient knows he/she is still valued.
The recipient is shy: Create a quiet gathering and invite only the people the recipient selects. If the person is uncomfortable in any group setting, have others sign a card or other personal expression of appreciation to include with the award.
Great Words and Phrases to Use:
| Learning new skills | Tackling a problem | Determined |
| Pitching in to help | Cross-training another | Effective |
| Making people laugh | Accurate | Efficient |
| Mediating a conflict | dependable | Fair |
| Volunteering | Ambitious | Forthright |
| Sharing information | Appreciative | Good natured |
| Customer service | Attentive | Sense of humor |
| Adaptive | Considerate | Independence |
| Willing | Decisive | Innovative |
| Practical | professional | Reliable |
| Optimistic | Original | Persuasive |
| Tolerant | Steady | Thorough |
| Resourceful | Self-confident | Self-starter |
| Mentoring a new person | Cooperative | kind |
(O.C. Tanner Recognition Company has provided information for this web page.)
Minnesota State
University, Mankato
Mankato, MN 56001
1-800-722-0544
© 2005-2013 Minnesota State University, Mankato. Minnesota State University, Mankato is a member of
Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system and an affirmative action/equal opportunity university.
