by Vincent Hillenmeyer, President at Sodexo Pass USA

During one of my recent morning jogs — it’s amazing the thinking that comes up during those — this question popped up: “Is recognition an art or a science?” Obviously this relates to our current focus at Sodexo Motivation Solutions on developing solutions to support organizations in their reward and recognition needs.    

I was puzzled myself. The business side of me wants it to be a science, so that we can try to master and provide such expertise to our clients. The other side of me, though, hopes it is an art: it is not easy to recognize properly, but when it is done well, what an impact it can achieve. Still, there is no unique recipe to it… So, if it is a science, it has to be an art also.

The dictionary provided some more insights. Science comes from the Latin for “knowledge” applied in a systematic practice. And art is “the process or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way that appeals to the senses or emotions.”

I was quite pleased, then, with my compromise answer to the question: it is both. But that felt too easy. The next day I challenged our whole Motivation Solutions team with the question. The tally of answers was eloquent: we are very accommodating! Out of the 17 people who responded, 13 felt that is both an art and a science; and the other four felt it is more an art.

Some words stood out from the responses.

For recognition as art—Implementing a “culture of recognition is an art”; it “feeds the needs of the soul” and “its meaning is unique to the recipient”; While “there is no unique formula that works every time on everyone,” “good managers know instinctively” how to recognize.

For recognition as science: “true recognition should be based more on fact than emotion,” and “be comprehensive and consistent”; it “fulfills our human need for validation,” and targets how we “respond to positive recognition.”

This may sum it all: it requires “balance.”

In closing, I’d like hereby to “recognize” our team for all their excellent input, and I welcome your comments!