I was once asked the question…Tell us more about how you took the Positive Recognition concept and Wellness Leadership into policing? How was it accepted by your team and your bosses?
What worked? Any lessons you can share?
Here was my answer…
People were a little suspicious at first…like “Hey Why all the sudden do we matter?” “Why are we being rewarded:” Once they saw that the intentions were genuine, it started to take off.
I had some leaders that thought the pay cheque was enough for their subordinates… that positive recognition was “soft” and “hog wash”.
Either myself, or the appropriate leader, spent extra time with these people to show them the benefits and encourage them how this connected to our long term vision.
Sometimes Wellness means ensuring your people have the tools to do their job correctly and safely.
I would buy my police officers small gifts to help them do their job better – multi tools (the Swiss army knives – as it was not standard police issue) to carry on their duty belts.
Flashlights, hand warmers, slash resistant gloves and even sunscreen. I would get them things that really mattered to them.
And I found out what they needed through walking around and listening
I set up a Wellness room for my staff for their breaks – a big screen TV, lounge chairs, cafe style tables, a latte machine and even stand alone computers so they could check their personal emails on their break.
I had my leaders give out gift cards when their staff went beyone the “call of duty”
Things really started to take off for the positive as hundreds and hundreds of gift cards were given out. I had my leaders also write on a personal note on an accompanying note card.
My leaders were rewarding and encouraging positive behavior with our staff and we were seeing great results, high morale and we were seeing our efforts flowing outwards in even more positive tickets being given by police officers to kids…. as sort of “pay it forward” movement. It was exciting to say the least.
In the area of recognition…One thing that I have learned – I have never met anyone yet that has complained about being rewarded or recognized TOO much.
When it is appropriate, why would we not thank our fellow colleague on a job well done
Also, who wouldn’t want to work for a company that cared about the wellness of their people.
We all know that in a knowledge worker age – wellness is very important for recruitment, retention and engagement. Maybe it is just a gymnasium pass or a few hours off to coach their child’s little league game.
Wellness matters and if you pay attention to it – the pay back is huge.
