Managing to Make a Difference

Chapter 52Emotionally Rehire People

Emotional rehiring is a simple but powerful form of positive feedback. It is as simple as authentically telling someone why you are thankful to have him or her on your team. It is easy to do, and if you make this simple practice a common part of your culture, you will increase appreciation, build loyalty, and enhance engagement.

Emotional rehiring can be done in a conversation or in writing. In a conversation, it takes less than 30 seconds. Writing the same message might take you all of three or four minutes and creates a tangible, permanent token of your appreciation. This tiny investment of effort can deliver enormous returns over time.

Here is an example of what emotional rehiring might look like in writing:

1. Bruno,
2. Congratulations on earning an important referral from our new client. Spontaneous referrals are the highest form of praise. Your ability to listen, your sense of urgency, and your unwavering dedication to delivering the highest quality are building our business. I'm glad you're here!
3. Larry

This is a major deposit in Bruno's emotional bank account. Note that it highlights a specific accomplishment, calls attention to three specific strengths, and points out the contribution to the organization. The last sentence is the punch line. It explicitly rehires the person. Predictably, this works only if it is completely authentic.

Here are some guidelines to help you maximize its impact:

1. Refer to a specific example of what the person ...