One thing that is consistent across personalities is we want to be respected for a job well down and that generally translates into the best form of recognition, which is a promotion or an increase in salary.

However, neither of these two levers can be utilized on a day to day basis. How we like to be recognized on a day to day basis can vary widely across personalities. Focusing in at the 4 primary workplace personalities we can define approaches, not from an individual perspectives but more focused than a “one size fits” all than most companies employ. Evaluate your own preferences, your perception of your bosses and what you see being utilized in the company overall. The brief descriptions below may help you to articulate your own preferences:

1. Structure Oriented: (Organized, fact based, practical)
•Preference for the recognition to be more one on one instead of in a public form unless it is a tangible recognition like a certificate that can be displayed. The recognition must be timely and specific – no general “good jobs”.

2. Logic Oriented: (Logical, questioning, pursuit of knowledge)
•Preference for recognition to be concise and infrequent, only when you have gone well above and beyond. Logic oriented personality types hold themselves to extremely high standards and focus primarily on the respect for a job well done. Aren’t particularly motivated by day to day recognition.

3. Action Oriented: (Hands-on, outgoing, always in motion)
•Most comfortable with public displays of recognition, recognition in front of the team but only when authentically deserved. Generally like feedback to be informal.

4. People Oriented: (Seek people connections, intuitive, mentors)
•Preference for one on one thank you for a job well done. Must be genuine and deserved. If the achievement is particularly notable then would also be comfortable with public recognition.

Identify the gaps between how you are recognized today and your personal preference. Take action to either bring your boss up to speed on your preferences and also changes you would recommend to company programs to make them more applicable to you.

Lynn
Team Building Enthusiast

Author's Bio: 

Lynn is a partner at Conundrum Adventures, a team building company that delivers high quality experiential team building to the corporate market.

Lynn has held executive positions at a variety of organizations. They include EVP of a dot-com start up responsible for vendor relationship management, technology and consulting to VP Global Sourcing for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Throughout her career she has demonstrated the ability to lead and inspire teams to achieve excellent results. Lynn draws on her experience to effectively facilitate team discussions to find creative solutions to the most challenging problems. Lynn holds an HBA and an MBA degree from the Ivey Business School.

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