Seminar discusses promoting character in the workplace

By Beverly Harvey

Published: February 28, 2008

Praise pays.

Companies that acknowledge good character qualities in employees can reap the benefits in a variety of ways, including increased production, boosted morale, reduced absenteeism and better customer relations.

That was just one of the character-building tips given to more than a dozen people from area businesses and nonprofit organizations Thursday during a “Character First!” leadership management training seminar sponsored by Envision Opelika.

Praising workers publicly and privately for their actions, attitudes and achievements is one way to build character.

The seminar is part of the citywide effort in Opelika to promote character education in businesses, schools and government agencies.

Attendees were presented ways to build character at the workplace both within themselves and within others. “Good character begins within ourselves,” Jerry Lake, Tuscaloosa Character
Council associate character trainer, said.

Character was defined simply as the way a person acts when no one is looking.

Employers can encourage character in employees through praise, Lake said.

The No. 1 thing employees want at work - even more than better wages - is appreciation, Phil Young Character at Work certified trainer said. “People will do almost anything to get praise, and people will do almost anything to avoid ridicule.”

Employers should hold monthly meetings to publicly recognize employees for achievements, actions and attitudes that have made a difference in the workplace.

“You want to make sure everybody gets praised publicly one time a year,” Young said, noting that recognizing employee anniversaries was one way to achieve that goal.

The character-building tips provided in the seminar can also be applied to people’s personal lives.

“Whoever praises your child the most will be the one to have the greatest influence on your child’s life,” Young said, adding, “Genuine praise, not flattery.”

By lunchtime, a number of attendees were already thinking of ways to apply the character-building tips and strategies presented by Lake and Young.

Brandon Hilyer, consultant with Hilyer Consulting in Opelika that employs 25 people at six pawn shops in Alabama and Georgia, said his company plans to start focusing on one character trait each month.

“I think it’s something we could do that can help make our employees’ lives better - not just to grow the business,” Hilyer said.

Wanda Lewis, president of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lee County, said she will use a number of the ideas presented at the seminar to praise and recognize employees and board
members.

“If kids see adults displaying good character qualities then that’s a good thing,” Lewis said. “It makes for a better society all the way around.”

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