If there’s one thing that Garth Brooks’ recent concert reminded me of about leadership, it’s the importance of recognizing your employees in public.
I recently helped my wife cross off a bucket-list item. We went to a Garth Brooks concert. I watched her clap, shout, and cry happy tears for nearly three hours, and it was fun.
If there’s one thing that Garth Brooks’ recent concert reminded me of, it’s the importance of recognizing your employees in public. As leaders, we often recognize our team members in private, but acknowledging them in front of their peers can be just as important for boosting morale. Here are a few tips on how to do just that.
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Garth Brooks is a master of connecting with his audience
He talks to them, tells stories, and makes them feel like they’re the only people in the room. As Garth walks and even runs around on stage, he’ll acknowledge the signs and posters created by fans that announce a birth, engagement, or make a song request.
There was a moving moment when he saw someone who did not have a poster with a song request but was holding up a phone with large words typed on it. Garth leaned down, asked what was on the phone, then played that song for him. The emotion shown on that fan’s face told the audience not only did he feel noticed and heard, but that request had a lot more meaning than we would ever know.
This is something we can all learn from as leaders. When you recognize your employees in public, take the time to really connect with them. Thank them for their hard work and tell them how much you appreciate them.
Garth Brooks also knows how to put on a good show. His concerts are high-energy and full of fun. Acknowledging your team in public doesn’t have to be boring either. Get creative and have some fun with it. Plan a special event or surprise your employees with a fun activity.
One simple lesson we can learn from him is to show appreciation for our team members
Garth Brooks is always grateful for his team. At the end of his concert, he took nearly an hour to thank each member of his band and crew. This is something we can all strive for as leaders. At the end of the day, our employees are the ones who make our businesses run. Showing them how much you appreciate their hard work is one of the best ways to boost morale on your team.
Thank them for their contributions, even the small ones
Let them know that you noticed their extra effort and that it made a difference. A simple thank you can go a long way in making your employees feel valued and appreciated.
Recognition that is genuine and specific about contributions builds up over time. If you only recognize someone when they make a big mistake, they’ll soon catch on and become resentful. On the other hand, if you recognize them regularly for their good work, they’ll feel appreciated and motivated to keep up the good work.
Acknowledge them in public and in private
While Garth Brooks took the time to recognize his team in front of a sold-out crowd, he also makes a point to thank them privately. As leaders, we should do the same. Acknowledge your employees in both public and private settings to really drive home how much you appreciate their hard work.
There is a band that goes on tour with him, and there is a band that records with him. On this tour, Garth made it a point to bring the recording band with him so they could see the impact their music has made on people for over 30 years.
He brought out a fiddle player and shared the story of his work from the recording studio and the creator of many of the fiddle riffs his fans had come to know and love. The crowd of nearly 100,000 people erupted with electricity, and we go to see the face of a man who never really thought about the impact his music truly had on people.
I’m not gonna lie. I cried seeing him cry on stage.
Offer recognition and praise when it’s due
Recognizing your employees is important, but be sure to offer praise when it’s due. If you only recognize them when things go wrong, they’ll quickly catch on and lose motivation. Make a point to recognize them for their successes, big and small. This will help them feel appreciated and encourage them to keep up the good work.
Leaders who take the time to recognize their team members in public are more likely to boost morale and keep their employees motivated. By following Garth Brooks’ lead, we can all show our appreciation for our employees in a way that makes them feel valued and appreciated.
Garth Brooks’ concert was a fun way to spend an evening, but it also reminded me of the importance of acknowledging our team members. Taking the time to recognize your employees is one of the best ways to boost morale on your team. Try using some of these tips the next time you want to show your appreciation for your employees.
What are some other ways you like to recognize your employees? Let us know in the comments below!
Other Garth Brooks lessons on leadership from Forbes.com.
