It’s Oscars week and all this talk of awards has us thinking about the concept of giving trophies and recognition. So often, when we think of the Oscars, or indeed any big award, we think of the main categories:

• Best Picture
• Best Director
• Best Actor/Actress in a leading role

But the truth is, when you look at the Oscars nominee list, there are far more categories in smaller or lesser known roles. Of course, there is the best actor/actress in a supporting role category, but there are far more categories which you may never have heard of:

• Achievement in Production Design
• Achievement in Sound Editing
• All the Science and Technology Awards

The list goes on and on and there are far more people receiving these lesser-known Oscars than the big celebrities whose names are celebrated.

So what does this have to do with your business? A lot, actually.

Chances are, you have a few ‘stars’ in your company. You know who they are – they always excel, they close the big deals, they come up with great ideas, they shine! And they get recognized for their achievements very often because they stand out from the crowd. But what about your supporting staff?

Many people work quietly and diligently and do an impeccable job, but because they don’t stand out, their efforts are seldom, or even never, recognized. They often make what the ‘stars’ of your company do possible because of all of the behind-the-scenes work they do. They are an integral part of the team’s success, but they are often passed over for awards, bonuses, and other types of meaningful recognition.

Take a look around and identify the ‘supporting actors’ in your office. What can you do to make them feel seen and appreciated? How can you award them to show your gratitude for their quiet commitment? Share your ideas in the comments below!

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Donna Cutting is the Founder & CEO of Red-Carpet Learning Systems, Inc., a consulting firm which provides tools and training to help organizations build cultures of engaged employees delivering consistently excellent customer service. She’s the author of two books on the topic, including 501 Ways to Roll Out the Red Carpet for Your Customers, and is working on her third as of January 2019. To learn more about how we can help you improve employee engagement and customer happiness, email us at STARS@redcarpetlearning.comand ask for a complimentary consultation.