Recognize your people? Affirmative.

In their best-selling book, irst Break All the Rules, Buckingham and Coffman’s research on identifying strong workplaces that attract/retain the most productive employees and scare away non-productive ones, resulted in 12 questions to survey your employees. Question #4 is “In the last 7 days, have I received recognition or praise for good work?”

Why is positive so powerful? Dr. Tim Irwin explains in his book, Extraordinary Influence How Great Leaders Bring Out the Best in Others that brain research indicates that affirmation (being positive):

· Buffers stress and improves higher cognitive thinking and problem-solving.

· Positively affects a region of the brain associated with subjective value, that is, the location of self-worth. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex evaluates how we subjectively feel about ourselves.

· Improves self-control and makes us more efficient.

· Makes us happier and more productive.

· Activates the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which is related to positive behavior changes.

· Activates brain circuits that are affected by the release of hormones like oxytocin and vasopressin, both known for their role in trust and attachment.

· Fosters innovation — it activates areas of the brain associated with calmness and openness to new ideas.

Be positive? Affirmative.

Show appreciation to your people? Affirmative.

Recognize your people? Affirmative.