A good-news letter has
more than one job: to tell the reader that something great has occurred.
It exists in the workplace to not only recognize excellence but to promote it.
That happens initially with the person receives the letter. By the end of the letter, the overall message should be: Job well done! Keep up the good work!
But before that letter is finished, a good-news letter will challenge the person whose achievements are being recognized to greater productivity.
For that reason, the good-news letter is not only a pat on the back, it is a kick in the pants.
When used strategically, the good-news letter that acknowledges outstanding performance can also motivate the rest of the staff or team.
For a good-news letter that contains no private information that can't be shared should be shared if you want to maximize the benefits of producing one: a good-news letter motivates the reader and can motivate the team who should be spurred to greater competitiveness.
Here's one way to write one:
Begin with a proper salutation that sets the tone, and spell the name of the recipient correctly.
Begin with announcing the good news. (Save subtlety for bad news.)
Explain the benefits of the good news. Example: You get your own parking spot!
Conclude with a message that says something like this: Thank you for your hard work. We are expecting even greater accomplishments from you in the future.
Yes, good-news letters are always welcome, and they are so much more fun to write than bad-news letters (which have more jobs to do than good-news letters)l but a good-news letter multi-tasks: it rewards the reader, challenges the reader--and motivates others who know about it.
Think about all of those benefits the next time you have an opportunity to praise a member of your team or staff for an accomplishment. Because good-news letters are not just a reaction of off-the-cuff praise; they are motivational tools that have the potential to increase productivity while enhancing job satisfaction and improving workplace morale.
It exists in the workplace to not only recognize excellence but to promote it.
That happens initially with the person receives the letter. By the end of the letter, the overall message should be: Job well done! Keep up the good work!
But before that letter is finished, a good-news letter will challenge the person whose achievements are being recognized to greater productivity.
For that reason, the good-news letter is not only a pat on the back, it is a kick in the pants.
When used strategically, the good-news letter that acknowledges outstanding performance can also motivate the rest of the staff or team.
For a good-news letter that contains no private information that can't be shared should be shared if you want to maximize the benefits of producing one: a good-news letter motivates the reader and can motivate the team who should be spurred to greater competitiveness.
Here's one way to write one:
Begin with a proper salutation that sets the tone, and spell the name of the recipient correctly.
Begin with announcing the good news. (Save subtlety for bad news.)
Explain the benefits of the good news. Example: You get your own parking spot!
Conclude with a message that says something like this: Thank you for your hard work. We are expecting even greater accomplishments from you in the future.
Yes, good-news letters are always welcome, and they are so much more fun to write than bad-news letters (which have more jobs to do than good-news letters)l but a good-news letter multi-tasks: it rewards the reader, challenges the reader--and motivates others who know about it.
Think about all of those benefits the next time you have an opportunity to praise a member of your team or staff for an accomplishment. Because good-news letters are not just a reaction of off-the-cuff praise; they are motivational tools that have the potential to increase productivity while enhancing job satisfaction and improving workplace morale.
Daphne Simpkins' most recent book is.Christmas in Fountain City
i believe good letters can put some pressure on some but for most it is a form of appreciation.
ReplyDeleteI think good new letters will make a employee continue to be a contributing part of an organization. By recognizing the employee's efforts,they will continue to work hard.
ReplyDeleteMany employers forget to congratulate and reward their team. I know that I always work harder and feel better about myself when I am told that I am doing a good job. In my opinion, there should be a lot more good news letters.
ReplyDeleteI think good news letters are exciting and a pack on the back, however they are perfect motivation to keep doing good or do even better.
ReplyDeleteGreat motivation to keep working hard!
ReplyDeleteI think good news letters are great motivational tools for the workplace and learning environment. W18 Kendra Moore
ReplyDeleteMiss Simpkins,
ReplyDeleteI am in agreement with you. A good news letter in the workplace should convey appreciation, recognize excellence, and inspire confidence. A letter that expresses this will surely motivate employees to be more productive.
Miss Simpkins,
ReplyDeleteAs a former recipient of a good news letter, I agree that the letter serves multiple purposes. Not only did I feel good about the recognition of my hard work, but I was also motivated to work harder.
Miss, Simpkins,
ReplyDeleteThis is a very informative article and I agree with everyone else here, that it is so nice to receive a good news letter.
Ms. Simpkins,
ReplyDeleteI agree with this article. It's nice to receive good news as well as to give it. The article was really insightful in that I never thought of good news to improve performance. I saw them more so to maintain a good job.
A good news letter is always nice. I always believed that the purpose of a good news letter was to inform the reader of a job well done. I never knew that it was also intended to encourage the recipient. This information was very useful and will be used by me from now on in professional writing settings.
ReplyDeleteThis was very helpful!
ReplyDeleteGood-news letters are always great to receive. I have seen these good-news letters cause animosity among team members, though. A superior should be careful that praise is not given to the wrong person(s).
ReplyDeleteVery helpful.
ReplyDeleteGood-news letters are used for the encouragement and motivation for employers to use for employees.
ReplyDeleteGood news letters have always had a singular purpose to me until now. Great points!
ReplyDeleteMy manager uses good news letters all the time. They really are a good tool to motivate the worker.
ReplyDeleteMiss Simpkins,
ReplyDeleteI do agree that the Good news letters is a form of appreciation and it is helpful towards workers, I feel as if the letter gives workers more confidence.
Very Helpful!
ReplyDelete