Three Other R's: Recognition, Reward and Resentment

OVERVIEW:Is your research productivity slipping? Are new, creative ideas missing? Is your staff less than enthusiastic about your latest management plan? If so, it could be that your recognition and reward systems are out of touch with what you are trying to achieve. All organizations are faced with the "Three Other Rs." How management deals with them will ultimately decide an organization's future. It is important to properly select the recipients, and properly select and present the recognition and/or reward. Inattention to any one of these aspects will negate the whole process. Even worse, lack of appropriate recognition and rewards can result in scientist or engineer resentment due to perceived unfair treatment. Proper attention to recognition and rewards can lead to a vibrant, high quality, productive organization with high morale.