I recently had the opportunity to unwind on vacation and catch up on some reading. One book that stood out to me was Lights! Camera! Action!: Business Operational Excellence Through the Lens of Live Theatre by Marc Haine and Andrew Lacanienta. One concept in particular resonated with me—the formula for effectively reinforcing positive behavior within a team. As someone who works closely with healthcare professionals, I found this approach especially valuable for strengthening team culture and boosting morale.
The secret sauce to effective recognition is SHORT:
S – Specific
When praising a team member, specificity is key. Vague compliments like “Great job today!” don’t carry much weight. Instead, providing detailed recognition lets the individual know you’ve been paying attention and makes your appreciation feel more sincere.
Example: Instead of saying, “Great job today, Shelly!”, try “Hey Shelly, I noticed that you walked that older patient out to his car today. That was incredibly kind. I appreciate you taking the extra time to do that as I know how busy you are. Thanks for doing that.”
H – How
It’s not just about acknowledging the action—it’s about communicating how it made a difference. Helping team members see the impact of their work fosters a greater sense of purpose and pride in what they do.
O – Open
Praising team members openly can help create a culture of shared recognition and celebration. However, knowing your team is essential. Some employees thrive on public acknowledgment, while others prefer private recognition. Striking a balance between open praise and individual preferences ensures that recognition is received in the most meaningful way.
R – Relative
Recognition should always align with the level of appreciation you genuinely feel. If praise is given just as a tool to manipulate behavior, it will eventually feel hollow and lose its impact. Team members will recognize when appreciation is authentic and when it is forced.
T – Timely
Recognition should be given as close to the observed behavior as possible. Delayed praise can feel less impactful. If immediate recognition isn’t possible, jot down a note and make it a priority to acknowledge the individual as soon as you can.
Why Praise Matters in Healthcare
In healthcare settings, where teams often work long hours and deal with high-stress situations, recognition can be a game-changer. When leaders consistently recognize and reward positive behavior, it fosters a culture of appreciation, strengthens team cohesion, and encourages employees to go above and beyond their job descriptions.
The key takeaway? What gets recognized and rewarded gets repeated. By integrating SHORT into your leadership approach, you can create a work environment where employees feel valued, motivated, and empowered to provide exceptional patient care.
At Martin Management, we are passionate about helping healthcare teams build strong cultures and optimize their operations. If you’d like to learn more about how to implement effective leadership strategies in your practice, let’s connect!
