Leading with Gratitude Ch 6

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Questions and Answers

What is a common attitude among managers who withhold praise from lower-level employees?

They believe that all jobs are equally important.

They have a clear understanding of their team’s contributions.

They show a lack of respect for certain types of work. (correct)

They prioritize praise based on sales performance.

Which of the following is often overlooked in traditional sales-driven companies?

The role of product developers.

The significance of customer service representatives.

The importance of executive leadership.

The contributions of marketing teams in branding. (correct)

What notable effect does the show Undercover Boss often reveal about executives?

They develop a greater disregard for lower-level duties.

They become more critical of their employees.

They realize sales are the only important department.

They gain insight into the difficulties of support roles. (correct)

In the research study by Wrzesniewski and Dutton, what role did Candice Philipps hold?

A custodian responsible for cleaning. Signup and view all the answers

What misconception do many managers have when evaluating their team's contributions?

They often ignore the critical role of support functions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the custodian mentioned in the content?

To provide emotional support to individuals in distress. Signup and view all the answers

How do managers ensure that gratitude does not appear to be biased?

By making gratitude specific and public. Signup and view all the answers

According to the discussion, what is a common misconception about giving gratitude in the workplace?

That only high achievers deserve recognition. Signup and view all the answers

What effect can offering gratitude to underperforming employees have, according to the content?

It can spark an increase in their morale and performance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Pareto Principle primarily associated with in a business context?

The notion that a small percentage of causes lead to a large percentage of effects. Signup and view all the answers

What was crucial to Schon Beechler's experience that transformed her job perception?

The recognition and trust given to her by her supervisor. Signup and view all the answers

What can happen when various simple jobs are done poorly, as discussed in the content?

It can damage customer satisfaction and service perception. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential for leaders to give gratitude to all team members?

To boost overall team performance by inspiring everyone. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the emotional state of the individuals the custodian assists?

They are often at their lowest and most vulnerable. Signup and view all the answers

What does a manager need to do to help team members feel appreciated?

Ensure everyone gets a chance to receive gratitude at various times. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Myth of Praise for Deserving Workers

Managers who believe in the "I save my praise" myth often undervalue the work of low-level employees.
They believe that some jobs are simply "basic" or "unimportant," and that praise should be reserved for high-performing individuals.
This type of thinking ignores the value of all roles within an organization, including support functions like billing and marketing.
The show "Undercover Boss" demonstrates how valuable these often overlooked roles are and the effort required by employees in those positions.

The Power of Gratitude in Everyday Work

A study on hospital custodians found that employees who seemed to be "invisible" to executives could have a significant impact on patients' well-being.
Custodian Candice Philipps, responsible for cleaning up vomit and excrement in the oncology ward, provided comfort and dignity to patients during difficult times.
Her work, while seemingly simple, was crucial to the healing process and showed how even the most overlooked roles can be crucial in the overall success of an organization.

Debunking the Pareto Principle

The Pareto Principle suggests that 80% of results come from 20% of effort, often applied to employees, suggesting high performers contribute the most.
However, this ignores the potential for motivating the larger group of average performers to improve their performance, which could lead to significant overall increases.
Offering gratitude for even average work can inspire employees to step up their game and improve their performance.
Real-world examples, like Professor Schon Beechler’s experience, show how simple acts of gratitude can have a lasting impact on employee motivation, leading to improved performance and engagement.

Gratitude is Not a Zero-Sum Game

It is important to recognize and appreciate both high-performing individuals and those who perform more average work.
Managers can express gratitude in a way that is specific and public, so everyone understands the reasons for recognition.
This approach avoids creating a sense of favoritism and encourages a culture of appreciation for all contributions, regardless of perceived importance.
Expressing gratitude for even the simplest tasks can have a significant positive impact on employee morale and performance.

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Description

Explore the often undervalued contributions of low-level employees in organizations. This quiz discusses the importance of recognizing all roles and the impact of gratitude in the workplace, emphasizing examples from shows like 'Undercover Boss' and studies on hospital staff. Learn how appreciation can elevate team morale and performance.