Encouragement--Heart At Work

Encouragement can have a very powerful effect on bosses and co-workers. The literal meaning of the word, encourage, is to put heart into. When this definition is applied to work situations, it suggests:

• Stirring, inspiring and motivating bosses and co-workers with hope, courage and confidence.
• Giving team members a vote of confidence.
• Boosting morale by expressing approval and offering support to others in the office.
• Lifting people up and moving them to do the things they need to do to achieve company and career objectives.
• Empowering direct reports and peers to grow professionally and reach their full potential.
• Stimulating cooperation and collaboration between work units, departments or the company as a whole.

Encouragement & Failure

Everyone needs encouragement. Bosses and co-workers alike face difficult situations and make mistakes or fail on a daily basis. They need help to cope with disappointment, fear, doubt and uncertainty. It has been said, "A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success" (Anonymous).

Even if people act tough-as if they are successfully handling the overwhelming emotions that accompany a mistake, don't believe it! Somewhere deep inside, they are awash in despair with intense feelings of fear about having made yet another blunder or slip-up.

What they desperately need is someone like you to come alongside them and encourage them for trying even in the face of failure?someone who really cares about them?who accepts and acknowledges them by helping to keep their self-esteem intact in spite of the failure.

Put Heart into Others at Work

Encouragement is one of the easiest yet greatest work tools available to boost a boss or co-worker's self-esteem. When we put heart into others at work, we lead them to achieve greater things than they ever thought possible. Here are 10 tips to help you be an On-the-Job Encourager:

Show others at work that you care! Exert a positive influence on their work lives by giving them encouragement just because?

Deliberately look for small ways to encourage others verbally, in writing or through your own behavior towards them.

Act as a cheerleader or a fan club member for a co-worker or boss. Tell them, "I know you can do this?"

Reassure team members after a disappointment or setback.

Prompt your direct reports and peers to try new things or pursue new opportunities.

Offer to help co-workers recover from a disappointment or failure. Give them a shoulder to cry upon when appropriate.

Value and accept your co-workers as they are and don't put conditions on accepting them.

Help others in the office to believe in themselves. Point out their positive character traits and how these can lead to success in the future.

Recognize the efforts and improvements co-workers make especially after a mistake.

Show appreciation for the contributions of every team member in your office.

Select someone you can put heart into at work today! Make an effort to be an On-the-Job Encourager!

Althea DeBrule, entrepreneur and seasoned human resources executive, has focused for more than 30 years on helping people achieve their career goals. Creator of The Extreme-Career-Makeover? and a founding partner of RADSGroup Organizational Consultants, she is recognized for her bottom line and practical application of career development and management strategies in a way that penetrates hearts and compels action. She speaks and teaches with inspired talent, humor and contagious zeal at management conferences and leadership retreats nationwide, and has been featured in CFO Magazine, Strategy@Work, Human Resource Executive Magazine. Althea is the author of Bosses & Orchards, a compelling and candid book about how to make your work relationship with your boss succeed. To discover how you can take your career to a new level, visit http://www.extreme-career-makeover.com/

---

The Dot

We have all grown up in an age where exploration into dramatic new territory has become routine. We have had people travel into space to live for short periods of time. We have... Read More

No More Frustration: The Thorns of Opportunity - Part I

The Thorns of Opportunity...What are you trying so hard to do?Do you ever find yourself saying "If I just had a little more time life would be great!" or asking "Where did all... Read More

Top 20 Love Quotations

"In real love you want the other person's good. In romantic love, you want the other person." -- Margaret Anderson"Love is a force more formidable than any other. It is invisible -- it... Read More

Spiritual Evolution: A Journey of Truth

BORN OF BODY AND SPIRITWe are born of the body and of the Spirit. The soul dies to one body of existence and is born unto another. Death, the illusion, carries no fear,... Read More

False Prophets

Direct Answers - Column for the week of May 12, 2003Of all the relationship advice columns, I like and respect yours most because you never encourage using manipulation or "tricks" in relationships.I recently... Read More

What To Do When You Dont Know What To Do

It is often difficult to know exactly what to do. This is especially true when you decide to stop being a creature of habit and circumstance and decide instead to live a life... Read More

Work In Progress: 10 Benefits of Not Knowing It All

1. You can relax and enjoy your life more if you don't expect yourself to have all the skills, knowledge, and wisdom to carry you forward into the future.2. You can open your... Read More

Dare To Dream

The rewards of life come to those who do, not to those whomerely read, talk or day dream. Action is the key. Okay I want you to answer this question: "In December of... Read More

Planning for the Unexpected

Unfortunately, most people fail to plan until it is too late. History tells us that for centuries humans have been witness to tragedies, and often times have been the victim of them. A... Read More

Love the Opportunity

Somebody said you have to love what you do, but that's not necessarily true. What is true is that you have to love the opportunity. The opportunity to build life, future, health, success... Read More

A Cat In The Hand Is Worth Two Birds In The Bush!

I bought this computer just over two years ago with my first venture into the world of credit cards. I'm a mature woman and have seen and done a lot in this world,... Read More

Have You Been Lucky In Life?

Each moment in life, "lucky" or "unlucky", is to be savored, learned from, and appreciated. Easier said than done? Read this heartfelt story and see for yourself.I met an exceptional American man in... Read More

Death Wish

I tremble at the thought that millions of people suffer enough to entertain a death wish. Perhaps it is as common a component of the psyche as suffering is a widespread phenomenon among... Read More

Fashionably Late

Direct Answers - Column for the week of January 6, 2003What can a couple say and do when they have been late in getting wedding thank yous out to people? We have been... Read More

Its The Little Things That Count

Have you ever been in the situation where you have become so focussed on achieving a goal that you have done so at the detriment of everything else in your life?The 'All or... Read More

Ask the Angels - Get Specific !

There are Angels for everything and they are just waiting for us to ask for their help. They can't help if we don't ask.Our request doesn't have to be long and lengthy. It... Read More

Adversity, What Is It Good For?

As I sat down to write this article, I was reflecting back over the last week ? a week filled with adversity. We all go through it and it is during those times... Read More

Top Ten Ways to Retire Retirement

1. Retire the word "retirement" from your vocabulary. Look it up: it means to "withdraw" or "retreat." Words can shape reality, and it's time for this one to go. Doesn't "renaissance" or "graduation"... Read More

The Spectacular You

I recently received a letter addressed to Spectacular Rachelle Lee. At first I thought it was a joke. Who would write such a thing? I then thought maybe it was a mistake. Whatever... Read More

A Bad Move

Direct Answers - Column for the week of April 7, 2003My husband is a wonderful man, we are in our thirties, well-educated and fairly affluent. However, his mother has been a stumbling block... Read More

Succeed by Whistling While You Work

Mark Twain (1835-1910) believed that having fun is important if you want to be successful."The secret of success is making your vocation your vacation."Mark Twain must have had fun as a writer. His... Read More

False Start

Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 7, 2003.I was married three months ago, and I think I may have married the wrong woman. What do I mean when I say... Read More

Boarded Windows

You know how images trigger emotions? You can see something that can leave you warm and fuzzy for hours or fill you with hope and wonder for days.Something that has always struck me... Read More

Its The Journey, Not The Destination

Don't you just hate clich?s like the one illustrated in the headline of this article? I know I do. But love them or hate them, most of us must admit that such adages... Read More

How Would YOU React To Tragedy Like This?

The true story I'm about to share will have a profound impact on you, just as it did on me.One day a mother was in her kitchen doing the dishes, when through the... Read More

Garbage In Its Place

There is nothing worse than seeing garbage blowing down the street of your neighborhood, or finding broken shards of glass at the local swimming hole where children play. Wildlife is just as vulnerable... Read More

Stand Up!

One of the most undervalued blessings is God's will to make every individual a unique creation. It takes all kinds of people to do the great work of the Lord's kingdom, and it's... Read More

The Art of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a critical element in becoming self actualized and fully loving. Forgiving is the process by which you let go of feeling victimized or having wronged others. It allows you to climb... Read More

Problems Arent Bad After all!

At first glance, when tough times hit, it seems the world around you is crashing down. You're surrounded by a sea of problems, threatening to engulf you any minute from now. A second,... Read More