How To Accept An Award (Like A Professional)

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Recognition comes in many forms in the workplace. Traditionally, at the highest levels, it is in the form of an award. Be it the Presidential Medal of Freedom, an Academy Award, Top Sales Person or Company Humanitarian, awards are given in a variety of contexts and for a variety of reasons.

For recipients, awards serve not only as external motivators, but also gratify psychological needs such as recognition, social status and self-fulfillment. For the presenters, these public honors are an opportunity to motivate employees, create social linkages, and develop positive interactions with the award honorees and the community in general.

Accepting an award showcases our talent and achievement. Unfortunately many people ruin their reputation by not accepting an award well. Instead they let the occasion of receiving be an excuse to get on stage and talk.

What if we are the recipient of an achievement award? What do we need to know to accept the award with as much savviness as we had to earn it?

The savvy winners at awards ceremonies are concise and appreciative in their remarks. One way this can be done is to place our thanks into three brief categories. Maybe it is the process that enabled the award, the people you worked with and an influential leader that paved the way. Thanking our three entities genuinely helps bucket our thoughts and we come off prepared.

Following the technique of three guarantees there is no risk of a spontaneous bad joke or reference, and everyone will take notice for you will not be at risk of going on too long. This is not the time to go over a long list of names to thank. An award is for the recipient and not for our relatives and friends.

Accepting an award creates a designated public showcase for you to define your professionalism, as well as get the credit you deserve.

Carlos Alvarez, Senior Training Consultant for Tero International facilitates this Tero Tips video.

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