Recognize This! – Keeping perspective on your work, your colleagues, and your boss is critical to winning in the workplace.

Last month I issued the challenge to submit your “Six Words about Work” to the Mercer/SMITH Magazine contest. The contest sought to add color to the key findings of Mercer’s global What’s Working™ survey, which partially found:

“While US employees voiced concerns and frustrations about work through the survey, they also confirmed that certain factors contribute significantly to their motivation and engagement at work, including:

* Being treated with respect (82% cited this factor as being very important to motivation and engagement)
* The quality of leadership in the organization (75%)
* Being able to provide good service to others (75%)
* The quality of the people they work with (74%)”

I can’t say I’m all that surprised by Mercer’s survey findings, and I think my own submissions reflected that ethos:

* Ignored, Demotivated, Underperform. Noticed, Recognized, Engaged.
* When I’m thanked, my performance excels.
* “Thanks” is easy, so give more.
* Appreciation creates winning cultures of recognition.

But the winners’ submissions (as reported in a Mercer press release) were well chosen:

For the “Best Boss I Ever Had” category:

* “Promoted truth, justice and eventually, me.” – US winner
* “Advised: Be CEO of own workspace.” – Canada winner
* “Hid tears behind a stern face.” – UK winner

For the “Biggest Lesson I Learned at Work” category:

* “Press every button until printer works.” – US winner
* “Follow your heart, not the salary.” – Canada winner
* “Make cups of tea, build bridges.” – UK winner

What are your six words? Alternately, what winning six words do you identify with the most?