When was the last time you helped someone see their value in the workplace? 

When was the last time you gave someone praise for helping you with something you really needed?

When was the last time you took a look at the work of an employee, acknowledged their effort, leaned in, shook a hand, and exclaimed “Great job!”?

If you answered “not recently” to any of these questions – keep reading. And get ready to take a hint from one of the world’s most successful CEOs.

David Novak, former big-wig with Yum! Brands (home to Pepsi, KFC and Pizza Hut to name a few), Independent Director at JP Morgan Chase, Director of Bank One Corporation, and 2012’s Chief Executive of the Year, has taken all of his awe-inspiring experience and turned it into a book. Sure, we know what you’re thinking – another successful man writes about his success and expects us to figure out his tricks of the trade.

Well (and we say this as nicely as possible), you’re wrong.

Novak is one of the nice guys. One of the good ones. One of the hardworking, successful-beyond-compare business men who spent all of his time in some of the most powerful roles in the business world learning and understanding the importance of valuing his employees. 

In his recently released book, O Great One! (A Little Story About the Awesome Power of Recognition), Novak has spun his impressive career trajectory into a fun, fictional, and inspirational tale that draws on his real-life experiences to highlight the importance of keeping your teams happy and appreciating their hard work.

Told from the perspective of main character Jeff, CEO of a faltering Cleveland toy company, we follow him on a rocky road of managing, leading, and rebuilding a once-booming business. He’s got one year to pull it all together, or else his job, and everyone else’s is on the line. Just when he seems his luck has run out, Jeff begins getting to know the staff behind the Happy Face Toy Company and recognizes a deep lack of enthusiasm or excitement for the products they create day in and day out. In an instant, he realizes just what this company needs – and it starts with the happiness of the core of this company – something he didn’t realize had disappeared over time.

Recent studies and the media have reported this simple yet overlooked fact time after time – praise is essential in the workforce and undervalued employees are costing their companies money. 

You know that passion you started your business with? The drive and that motivation and that attitude of “I love what I do and I won’t stop until I succeed?” – imagine transferring that to your employees by boosting their confidence and showing them just how essential they are to your success.

Oh, and in the meantime, do yourself and your business a favor and take a page from David Novak’s book – you, your staff, and your business will all be better for it.