Behind the Scenes Roles Need Recognition & Growth Opportunities Too

No matter what industry you are in, there are always roles that grab the glory. Typically these are filled by extroverted people who enjoy the attention and likely enjoy being acknowledged publicly for successes. But any healthy and fully functioning company also has pivotal players behind the scenes.

Drawing out the best in the personalities who tend to fill those behind-the-scenes requirements can be completely different than for the lime-light seekers. And recognizing their need for a different set of growth channels is essential.

The Difference Between Those Out in Front vs. Behind the Scenes

Many people work behind the scenes and don’t want any spotlight. Don’t, however, mistake their role in the success of your organization as less important. Just because their wins may not be client-facing grand gestures doesn’t mean those wins are not essential.

While your key performers make the large public gains, others execute the day-to-day fundamentals. Those behind-the-scenes performers may have vast institutional or process knowledge that is key to your organization’s consistency. They provide a completely different level of value.

Most companies reward the key performers easily and often because it’s hard to forget their accomplishments—the bold sales strategy that created a spike in revenue, for instance—while the achievements of the behind-the-scenes teams enable you to achieve less obvious gains like customer loyalty or more profitable processes.

Tailor Performance Recognition

Recognition for performance lands differently with different people. Money and title changes can make more of a difference to some people than added paid time off or work-from-home days might for others. If the size of your company allows, recognition can have the most positive effect if you match it to the recipient. Here are a few options:

• Vacation days
• Work from home flexibility
• Bonuses or Raises
• A parking space
• Public mention like a newsletter, social media, or press release
• A gift certificate
• A new iPhone or tickets to a concert
• A gym membership
• Selection to head a project or task force
• Nomination for an award outside of your company
• A handwritten letter
• An email to the employee and cc’ing their supervisor

All of this is to say that you should still ensure that hard work and dedication are seen and add value for those who don’t enjoy fanfare.

Foster Leadership at All Levels

Leadership development and growth in the careers of behind-the-scenes players is just as valuable of an investment in your organization as the front-facing people. However, they likely aren’t the people who demand growth opportunities because not everyone aspires to the top office. But few aim to stagnate.

Strong leadership is necessary at all levels of your organization. And the only way to grow leadership throughout is to establish a culture of trust, open dialogue, and consistency. A culture that enables anyone to speak up can truly help. If the only conversations you have are at an annual review, you may not be aware of the numerous wins of the behind-the-scenes leader or team. You might not understand where additional education and operational support would be beneficial or where hidden talent lies.

Growth pathways provide opportunity for the people who consistently put in the work day after day. The health of your entire organization benefits when learning and evolution happen throughout instead of just at the top or on the surface.

Liddell Consulting works with leaders to develop healthy growth and provide strategically planned learning opportunities at all levels of your business, from the front runners to the worker bees. Contact us today to find out how we can help you achieve leadership development success.