Forums

Hello everybody,

Long time listener, first time poster here, so please point me in the right direction if I did any mistake when writing in this forum (such as posting in the wrong category, etc).

I'm an individual contributor at small-ish (100-200 people) software development company. A few months ago (last year in December) I started an internal initiative to share "tips'n'tricks of the trade" between people. The sharing is done by updating an internal site with your "tip" and I would politely ask people from time to time if they would like to contribute. Also, the initiative was approved by my direct boss and - from what I gather - is positively or at least neutrally regarded by everyone.

Currently we are nearing our 100th contribution, and I thought that it would be a nice touch to print out some T-Shirts for all of the people who contributed (this is also somewhat self-serving, because I hope to get more contributions from the people once these T-Shirts are distributed).

Here is my question for which I'm turning to your wisdom: is there any way to misinterpret the gesture of giving these T-Shirts as something negative (the printing of the T-Shirts came out of my personal budget)? My spouse suggests that some managers might mis-interpret as me "making friends" in the case I go to an other company, so that I can bring former colleagues there. Should I have asked in advance? Do you have any advice if I should take some extra steps with regards to management before distributing the T-Shirts?

Thank you in advance for your opinion, Attila Balazs

stephenbooth_uk's picture

 Based on what you have posted here that sounds quite reasonable to me.  You're recognising a milestone event by a non-cash reward to those who helped get you there.

Unless there are other factors, I can't see any reasonable (as in thinks and acts based on reason and logic) manager interpreting it as a sign you're moving on and are looking to poach staff.  This seems less 'Making Friends' and more 'Networking'.  If you started going for a networking lunch once or twice a week with colleagues or supported a colleague with an issue (work or non-work) would they think that that meant you were planning on leaving?  If you started sending thank you cards would they think you were planning on leaving?  If they did would that be reaosnable?

Stephen

 

 

 

--

Skype: stephenbooth_uk  | DiSC: 6137

"Start with the customer and work backwards, not with the tools and work forwards" - James Womack

 

Mark's picture
Admin Role Badge

...of your fears."

Everything a manager does is open to interpretation. Some folks would complain if you gave someone else a Ferrari.

I like your idea, and to hell with the naysayers.

Good on ya.

Mark

PS: that quote is from Patton

eagerApprentice's picture

Mark just quoted my hero :-)

If you worry about others, you'll always be second-guessing.

For all his flaws, Patton was a massive figurehead in history - he overcame all sorts of personal weaknesses and adverse situations to leave his mark by caring very little about what others thought.

Now that might have led a bit to his fading in the end, but that was after he accomplished far more than most of will. And he did it by overcoming fears and internal barriers that all of us set up.

Adam

 

 

Trigger Networks:We are Global ERP/CRM Cloud Computing Consultants

awil's picture

Having quality issues last year, asked my team what they would like as a reward to motivate improvements in quality - they asked for a bar of chocolate for anyone who had 100% of work passing quality checks in a week! Slightly off topic as these were paid for by the company (catering size box ordered and distributed from every week) but shows that recognition of contribution/achievement, even in this slightly cheesy (chocolatey?) manner is appreciated.

Also don't think your boss could object to you encouraging sharing of expertise which will benefit everyone. Go for it!

cdman's picture

Hello everybody,

Thank you for all the replies. I even got a reply from Mark himself, wow! Thank you!

Here is a little postmortem: people were generally happy (some of them didn't like to be photographed, but this is an other story). I've got a little backlash from 3 levels above and was told that I should have pre-announced management for a couple of reasons:

  • There might be confusion about the source of the T-Shirts (were there from the company or from me?)
  • The message on the T-Shirts might be offensive (wasn't the case here, but it might be a possibility) or it might be incompatible with the company values
  • The company might have footed part of the cost

All is good now, I have enough social credit with managers for this not to be a problem, but in the future I will be sure to inform more persons about my intentions (pre-wire them).

Hope this will help others in similar situation,

Regards,
Attila Balazs