Time for a good word.

Most of us think of tangible items when we think of recognition, especially recognition at work. We think of the plaque someone received at an awards banquet, the cash bonus check that surprised someone for above-and-beyond performance, the flowers sent in congratulation of a promotion or the

These are all sincere attempts to reward the people who make our businesses hum, but the best, most effective recognition is the kind that we can't see, touch or put a price tag on.

One of my first jobs was with a 24-hour-a-day manufacturing operation. It was our policy around Thanksgiving and Christmas to serve a catered meal to the people working on all the shifts. The supervisors and managers showed up to serve the food themselves. This was the part that made the meals meaningful and memorable.

Everyone certainly enjoyed the turkey and all the trimmings, but what really made them feel noticed and appreciated was the presence of their supervisors and managers. The employees knew that their bosses were taking time out from their own family holiday celebrations to spend with them. It was the ultimate way to say, "I know that you're here keeping this business running."

Woody Allen's statement, "80 percent of success is showing up," seems an apt comment on this type of group recognition--just for being at work on those holidays. The rule for recognition is that giving our attention to something shows the people involved that we value it. And the more immediate the attention is, the more it packs a wallop in affecting other people's choices about how they do their jobs.

But give your special time and attention selectively. Whatever activities and behaviors you attend to, you'll get more of, because you are sending the message, "This is important to me." So be careful. Don't let the squeaky wheels get all the grease.

In addition to group recognition, the best-performing organizations also recognize and give positive reinforcement to individuals. Seek out the people who regularly show up for work, and tell them, privately, how much you appreciate being able to depend on them. Let them know in a personal, quiet way that you notice their good attendance--that you don't take them for granted.

Once a supervisor said to me, "Betty's so dependable and does such a good job; I never have to say anything to her." Emergency! She's the one we should be saying something to--letting her know that we notice.

There are an endless number of ways to give positive reinforcement to people like Betty, and to people who aren't perfect but are showing little signs of improvement.

Here are a few:

* Ask someone's opinion on how to solve a business problem, then listen without arguing or criticizing the answer. Valuing the knowledge and opinions of experienced employees can be a powerful way to show respect for their skills and give them a chance to show their stuff.

* Take time to mention anything you notice that they're doing "right." This goes for everyday job activities, not just "above and beyond" feats.

* Give an extra two seconds of eye contact and a smile right after you see them speak to a customer in a polite way or offer to help a co-worker.

* Give a wink or thumbs-up as you pass by, when you "catch" someone in the act of doing something positive and productive.

* If you are not the person's direct supervisor, tell his or her supervisor what you noticed about the person's professional manner, for instance. If it gets back to the person, he or she will feel doubly reinforced because the comment will have the power of two respected opinions behind it. This is called "positive gossip."

Time and attention are the most valuable things we can give to one another. And we give it when we pause over someone's work with a smile on our face.

Janis Allen is owner of Janis Allen Performance Leadership Consulting in Atlanta, Ga. A former editor of Performance Management Magazine, she is also author of Performance Team: Completing the Feedback Loop and I Saw What You Did and I Know Who You Are: Giving and Receiving Recognition.