Changing the way organizations think about employee recognition.

// 03.24.2010 //

Still buzzing from the Oscars

I love watching the Oscars: the glitz, the gowns, the red carpet, and of course, the presentation of the awards. For actors and filmmakers, it’s the ultimate recognition. As recognition consultant, I always take away a golden nugget or two watching this extraordinary event.

Sandra Bullock acknowledged her peers, “I thank those artists I see tonight who inspire me and blaze trails for us; I share this night and this award with.” She singled out each of her co-nominees and said something positive and specific about their talents. Very classy.

My hat goes off to Queen Latifah who was the only presenter who used the term “award recipient” instead of “winner.”  You win the lotto; you earn an award. Using the term “award recipient” elevates the importance of the award.

I applaud Mo’Nique (best performance by an actress in a supporting role in Precious) for giving credit where credit is due. “I would like to thank the Academy for showing that it can be about the performance and not the politics. I want to thank Miss Hattie McDaniel for enduring all that she had to so that I would not have to. Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey because you touched it, the whole world saw it.”

Barbara Walters after Oscar show, “What does receiving an Oscar mean to you?” The most common response to this question is: “Just to be nominated is, in and of itself, wonderful.” Bingo. It’s about the recognition, it’s about being noticed, it’s not just about the award.

Finally, Kathyrn Bigelow who received Best Director for “The Hurt Locker” said, “There is no other way to describe it, it’s the moment of a lifetime.”

For the award recipients and those of us in the audience, these were inspirational, moving moments. But  that kind of recognition only happens once in a lifetime. It’s the pinnacle, it’s Maslow’s self-actualization of reaching our full potential — and how do we get there? One step at a time, one day at a time.

Lifetime achievements happen through an accumulation of moments of excellence, words of encouragement, knowing you made progress toward a larger goal. Within your sphere of influence, you have an opportunity every single day to let someone know they made a positive difference at work, at home, in the community, in your life.

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