As leaders we know that recognizing the positive efforts of our staff are important. Unfortunately too often our attempts at recognition go unappreciated and have limited impact. Scott Mautz, author of Make It Matter: How Managers Can Motivate by Creating Meaning offers the following suggestions for making recognition more meaningful:
Personalize recognition so that you don't trivialize it. Adapt the recognition the the needs and preferences of the individual staff member.
Get everyone involved. Recognition doesn't have to be from just you as the leader. Recognition from other staff members, campers and parents can be powerful.
Be frequent but not frivolous. Take regular opportunities for recognition but make such what you're recognizing really matters.
Celebrate both the first downs and touchdowns. Certainly celebrate the big accomplishments but don't the little victories along the way.
Deliberate the delivery. How you deliver recognition can be just as important as the recognition itself.
Welcome to the Summer Camp Leadership blog. For those of us who lead summer camps, making a positive difference in the lives of young people is our passion. Turning that passion into a reality, however, takes more than the ability to lead songs, teach archery or plan craft projects. Creating camp experiences that truly transform lives takes leadership. Leadership that creates a vision for the future, leadership that inspires and engages others, leadership that remains focused and stays the course. My hope is through this blog you'll find ideas, inspiration and tools to help you be a great summer camp leader.