Chester Elton

Last week, I experienced the coolest way to be thanked…ever! As I mentioned, I spoke at the People’s Report Summer Camp 2010 and they put together a Flash Mob dance to say thanks. How great is this? (Maybe I should get my whole team at the office learn the dance to perform everytime I’m there…what’da think?)

What are some of the most creative ways you’ve been thanked? and we’ll publish it in our monthly newsletter or right here on my blog.

Do you remember the times in your life you were applauded? Most of us do.
   
At one fast-food chain, if an employee is working hard and feeling a little overwhelmed or under appreciated, she can ask for a standing ovation at any time. Everyone in the restaurant – including customers – gives the person applause.
   
Gather your employees now and then for a standing ovation of one of your people. Explain the great things the person has done, and then start the applause. Dabbing the corners of teary eyes is optional.

At the annual Alumni Soccer Mentoring Night at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, varsity soccer’s team coach Ted Priestly awarded the player who had the best off-season workouts with the “Carrot Principle Award.” The actual award is a GIANT Garrett the Carrot!

There were a number of things a player had to do to earn the award. During each week of the off season, the coach would award a smaller Garrett the Carrot to the player that worked the hardest and made the biggest commitment to team values. The Coach makes sure that a few things were crystal clear.

1) Everyone knows the expectations
2) What the reward will be
3) What the rules of the competition are
4) How they will celebrate success

This was the first year of the award and, according to Coach Priestly, the competition was particularly fierce. Amazing what a little recognition will do, eh?

This year, the winner is Steven Stefanak who won the most Garretts during the off-season workouts. The coach uses a ton of competitions and awards to motivate the players and is a big fan of “The Carrot Principle.” The team has never looked better and the excitement and anticipation for the coming season is at an all time high.

It makes you think about the ways that you use to motivate and encourage your team, doesn’t it? With everyone on the same page it’s easy to see why the competition is fierce and the results measurable and outstanding. Clear communication is a mark of a great leader—in this case, a great coach. Here is to a GREAT season for our favorite Division I men’s soccer team, GO CRUSADERS! 

Chester checks in with Heidi Thomson, owner of Golden Song Productions and Las Vegas' premier Cher impersonator. Heidi discusses how she promotes positive attitudes in the workplace, how strong communication advances her artistic, and channels Cher at the end of the interview.

4:09 minutes | Download | Read the Transcript

I just spoke at People Report’s Summer Camp (which was AWESOME by the way). They did a GREAT write-up on their site—check it out.

During our recent People Report Workforce Symposium, more famously known as Summer Camp , there were a lot of discussions about how individuals and companies are faring and feeling, as they come out of this unprecedented recession.  I would describe the mood as “timid optimism”.  It has been politically incorrect to be openly upbeat for so long that most people either have survivor’s guilt, or they are still waiting for the other shoe to drop.  So when Chester Elton, the bestselling author and Carrot Culture guru took the symposium stage, I wondered how his message of recognition and appreciation would be received.  I didn’t have to wonder for long.

Take a minute to read the whole article here.