When Recognition Diminishes Performance (Downloadable Version Only!)

One of the occasional drawbacks of employee recognition is when praise or thanks actually has a negative impact on a person's performance. You've probably experienced this phenomenon: a manager praises an employee for doing a great job or attaining a goal only to have the person feel so elated that it seems to change him or her for the worse. They start to gloat about the praise and suddenly act as though they are better than their co-workers. Such individuals may brag and repeat the comments made by management to others as though somehow the words are some sort of proof of their permanent worth and all others around them should be honored to know them.