By Sheryl Silva
We all have experiences when someone did something special for us, went beyond the call of duty or lifted our spirits when we needed it most. We call these experiences Magic Moments. Truth is, most Magic Moments go by and are not acknowledged or recorded and often times a mere thank you does not seem enough.
Our experience shows that what you acknowledge – you get more of. So when someone does something special for you, sending a specific note of appreciation and acknowledgement has them feeling very good – and encourages them to keep doing it. We call this sharing the magic.
Our organization is an education and training company. We would be happy to share what our policy is. The purpose of our organization is to demonstrate Leadership in action and we have systems in place at work that compliment the purpose. One such system, which has enhanced our working environment, is what we call “Magic Moments”.
Magic Moments System
The purpose of the “Magic Moments” is to optimize performance. The system is designed as a way of sharing any thoughts, feelings or actions that people around us do or say that make our day brighter, happier more cheerful and loving. It’s a way for team members to express their acknowledgement, feelings and support to other team members and themselves.
How the system works is, we have a form called “Magic Moments” with 19 different options (tick box format) of a good deed, action or expression such as:
- Spent time doing something for me
- Lifted my spirit when I needed it
- Demonstrated exceptional talent
There are 17 other options referred to as “Team Member Magic”. These also include expressions acknowledging ourselves such as, “I mastered a system today” referred to as “Systems Magic”. Team members can also write a few lines of their own to express their appreciation personally to another teammate.
One person on the team is nominated as the “Magic/Anti-Magic Moments” coordinator. When a team member appreciates another for something he or she did, they fill in a “Magic Moments” form addressed to the person and submits it to the coordinator who in turn will pass the form to the person for whom its meant. Copies are filed and at the end of each month, the person who wrote the most forms and the person who received the most forms are given a reward.
Similarly, we have a “Anti-Magic Moments” which are incidents, upsets or behaviors that are anti-magic (i.e. create an environment that is not safe, harmonious or happy) or actions that are in violation of the companies stated policies, values and procedures and interfere with productivity, orderliness and the perceived ability to do ones job well. It is also an opportunity for the team member to handle their side.
This system also comprises of a form called “Anti-Magic” with 24 different actions or expressions such as:
- Gossiping, blaming or directing abuse to another team member
- Abusive tone
- Reference to superiority (chauvinism, racism, sexism etc)
There are 21 other expressions referred to as “Team Member Corrections”. These also include “System Violation” such as “Directive was given to me by someone who is not my direct leader”. The procedure is again the same as the “Magic Moments”.
Everyone Is Included – No Exceptions
Both systems are across board for all staff with no exceptions to designations or positions held by individuals in our office. The beauty of the system is that we feel appreciated and supported when we receive a Magic Moment. That motivates us and boosts morale.
On the other hand, when an “Anti-Magic Moment” is received, the person is not yelled at or has his or her “head chopped off” because of it. Instead, the team supports the individual to realize his/her behavior and helps them to correct their counter-productive behavior within a safe environment.
The leaders in our organization have high regard, care and concern for each team member and give a lot of their time to support team members through the process of self-improvement when needed and more so appreciating us for things we do. These systems were created to ensure that each team member experiences a safe, fun and happy work environment everyday.
The organization invests in training all staff on how the system works which helps everyone to understand the purpose of the system and to appreciate it.
Each member on our team is committed to work by this system and it has contributed to us having great team spirit, high productivity and fun at work. Every one of us look forward to coming to work everyday, knowing we will be supported and appreciated for simply being ourselves.
We are thankful to our leadership for implementing this system, as it’s a joy for each of us to work in an environment that is safe, calm, serene and above all fun. My wish is for management of all organizations to implement such systems – as I can vouch for its effectiveness and success. The more “Magic Moments” – the higher the team morale, productivity and profitability.
Mazimo Magic
Mazimo Magic is an online web based application that allows anyone to send appreciation in the form of “Magic Moments” with clients and colleagues and to identify “Anti-Magic Moments” that reduce service standards, disrupted team performance and caused reduced morale and lower productivity.
Best thing is, the Mazimo Magic Application keeps a record of every Magic Moment sent and received by you. This enables you to keep them as long as you want, review later, print or forward to thers etc.
Share the Magic, send a Mazimo Magic Moment now >>>
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Founder of Goldzone Group and the primary author of Renaissance for Leaders. Harrison’s work focuses on the study of leadership and the conditions that shape human performance and decision-making.
