By Eric Bragazzi, Training & Organizational Development Specialist 

For those of you who have been receiving this newsletter for some time now, you are aware that our team typically selects a topic or subject to write editorials about that reflects the season, holiday, or month. When asked about ideas for the May newsletter, I was drawn towards the word “recognition”. I have to admit my own biases are at play here. As I look back over the past years, the month of May has had significant meaning for me and who I am today. To start, it’s hard to escape May without recognizing all the Mamas of the world. Happy Mother’s Day! I appreciate you. I can’t help but think of, and recognize everything my mother has done for me over the years. The tears, the sacrifices, the support, and above all, the love. Next, May is when I first gave recognition to who I am. I will never forget sitting alone in LAX, struggling with the idea that I wasn’t like the majority of the world, and that I had potentially lost the boy I loved because I was hiding in that dark place that the world has deemed “The Closet”. It was at that moment I recognized how miserable my life would be if I didn’t acknowledge and begin accepting who I am. Finally, it was in May that I recognized the gravity of my own addiction, and how short my life was going to be if I didn’t get the help I so desperately needed. So, you can see why for me the word “recognition” stands out so vividly in my mind as I approach my most formative month. 

When I think of the power of recognition there are three components I want to highlight. The importance of recognizing others and expressing it to them. The significance of self-recognition, and owning it. And third, recognizing that nothing in life is permanent.  

According to awardforce.com, when we give recognition to others, it has the power to dictate a person’s notion of self and their perceived value (self-worth). Now, if you have read past editorials of mine you know that I am a firm believer that worth is intrinsic, eternal, and unwavering for every human being. However, even I can acknowledge the need for external validation and appreciation. When we give recognition to others we are able to celebrate their successes with them and in turn celebrate them as a person. We can learn from Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, that when a person feels celebrated, they feel accepted. This feeling of acceptance then leads to higher self-esteem and confidence, as well as a sense of self-respect, and respect for others. As you can see, the need for validation and recognition is not about pride or ego. It cuts to the core of who we are and how we thrive.

Self-validation and self-recognition is even more important than external validation. Appreciate who you are and how you got to be where you are today. No human is perfect and we should never expect perfection from ourselves. The truth, however, is that for most of us it is easier to acknowledge and recognize our flaws than it is to recognize our strengths.  We should never forget that each and every one of us deserves to be successful and happy. Recognize everything that makes you uniquely you, and own it! Recognize all that you have accomplished. Look inward and reflect on who you are as a human. What virtues do you embody that make you proud?  Are you humble? Are you kind? Are you courageous and vulnerable? Do not let the smallest detail about your strengths go unnoticed and remind yourself of them daily. You are significant, and there is no one like you! Recognize yourself and the beauty you are.

Lastly, recognize your humanity and make the best out of every moment.  Live for the present moment and appreciate your place in life. Buddha taught his followers to recognize the impermanence in their lives. To westerners, the concept of impermanence may be new, but with a little thought you can easily grasp the root of the teaching. Nothing in life is permanent. Every-thing, every moment, every hour, every minute, every second, has a beginning and an end, or a birth and a death. When we can recognize this in our own lives, we can start to live for the present moment. We can recognize that no pain will last forever and there are brighter days to come. In turn, we can then have the humility to recognize that just like all sorrow will eventually end, happiness and joy will too. Recognizing impermanence can ground us in the moment and help us appreciate the good times in life, while at the same time reminding us that even the worst pain and struggles in life will not last forever.

Here is my challenge to you, or a “call to action” some might say. For the month of May:

1. Every morning when wake you, look in the mirror. Out loud, recognize one strength or accomplishment from the day before.  
2. Throughout the day, make it an intention to recognize a strength or accomplishment in another person. Express it to them with sincerity.  
3. Before you go to bed, recognize one thing in life that is impermanent and one thing you are grateful for.

Come June 1st, it is my wish that each and every person that accepts this challenge will see the power of recognition in your own life. Do you have a stronger appreciation for others? Do you have higher self-esteem? Has recognizing your own morality awaken the compassion in your heart?  

Live life abundantly,

Eric A. Bragazzi

By Caitlin Long, Marketing & Communications Specialist 

With holidays such as Mother's Day and Memorial Day approaching, May is a month for recognition. In our personal lives, recognition allows us to form deeper connections and relationships as it provides us with feedback that helps to build our self-esteem and inner ambition. In the workplace, recognition reinforces the positive, helping both employees and managers find meaning in their work. 

There are several reasons why recognition in the workplace is vital for a company's culture. According to an article by Business Leadership Today, repeated recognition helps to provide employees with a sense of security in the value they bring to an organization. In turn, this sense of security and "culture of care" helps to increase employee productivity, motivation, and overall retention.

For managers, recognition allows your team to find and create meaning in their work. Your ability to contribute to the success and happiness of your employees through the acknowledgement of their labor demonstrates the necessity and importance of your role. Meaningful recognition, however, does not have to be a grandiose ordeal. Workplace recognition can be demonstrated in the form of an award, promotion, written letter, or a simple "thank you". However, according to author and Senior Director of Human Resources Marissa Morrison, it is the daily "micro messages and nudges" from leaders that have the most impact on employee performance, productivity, and retention. Employee recognition in the workplace is a low-cost initiative with a high impact. 

To help managers and supervisors build this culture of care, COE offers a wide variety of trainings such as Respectful Workplace 2.0, Coaching Skills for Supervisors and Managers, and Performance Management Conversations.

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A very happy Mother's Day to all the mothers and mother-like figures, and a special thanks to those military personnel who sacrificed their lives for our freedom! 

NEW - Labor Relations Trainings!

The DHR Labor Relations Unit has partnered with COE to develop new curriculums that will further support the development and success of all employees statewide, and facilitate their understanding of the Partnership Agreement and its impact. 

Labor Relations for Leaders

This course helps supervisors and other State leaders gain a deeper understanding of the Partnership Agreement. This curriculum will focus on common scenarios and how to best navigate them while maintaining neutrality. Please note: This training is for non-covered State employees only. Verification of employment coverage will be required at the time of registration. If you have further questions, please contact the Labor Relations Unit at dpa_laborrelations@state.co.us.

Introduction to Collective Bargaining

In June of 2020, Governor Polis signed the Colorado Partnership for Quality Jobs and Services Act (the Act) into law. Among other landmark terms, the Act recognized Colorado WINS (COWINS) as the certified employee organization for covered State employees, giving COWINS the right to bargain terms and conditions of employment on their behalf. Since then, the State and COWINS have negotiated the first statewide Partnership Agreement in addition to multiple State Entity Agreements, with more to come. These agreements will also be periodically renegotiated. As collective bargaining is now an integral part of State employment, it is essential to understand the key elements of negotiation. This course will review collective bargaining fundamentals, including: historical context, common negotiation principles, identification of parties’ interests, and common strategies and techniques used in collective bargaining.

Continuing Education Opportunity!

Western Governors University (WGU) is offering a new scholarship for Colorado residents who want to further their education at WGU. Recipients will receive up to $1,000 per six-month term, renewable up to 4 terms. Visit WGU's webiste for additional information!