I believe recognition says a great deal about workplace leadership. It shows not only what a manager values, but also whom that manager believes deserves to be seen. On many hospital units, certain employees are praised publicly. Their names are announced during huddles, their accomplishments are shared in meetings, and even routine acts of competence are presented as examples for everyone else. When another employee does something equally impressive, the recognition may suddenly become private. Instead of receiving the same public acknowledgment, that nurse gets a brief email: “Great job” or “Thank you for your hard work.” The employee was technically recognized—but also conveniently hidden. A private compliment is not necessarily a problem. The problem is the pattern. When praise is repeatedly public for certain people and private for others, recognition begins to resemble favoritism. The Unit Within the Unit Friendships naturally develop among nurses. Long shifts, diffic...