“Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.” -Margaret Cousins
In today’s business world, there is so much to consider for success. Strategy, products and services, quality, compliance, finances, innovation, technology, etc and in a world of VUCA- continuous change and uncertainty. It is as obvious as daylight that “Employee Recognition” needs the most attention because without engaged employees nothing can be accomplished.
“Gallup and Workhuman research show that strategic employee recognition – recognition that is fulfilling, authentic, equitable, embedded in company culture, and personalized to the individual – is critical for cultivating an environment where both employees and the business thrive.”
Let’s take a moment to reflect on the vital role employee recognition plays:
🌟Boosts Motivation: When employees are recognized and appreciated for their hard work as well as individual contribution, they feel motivated to excel and bring their A-game to work every day.
📊Enhances Productivity and Stimulates Growth: Motivated and engaged employees have better performance and productivity resulting with quality work and satisfied customers and stakeholders. They are inclined to grow more on the personal level to stimulate company growth.
🤝Strengthens Connections and Builds Trust: Recognition is not only limited to performance, hard work, and accomplishments. It is important to recognize and respect personal differences, values, and emotions at work. Displaying care and kindness, understanding people’s value systems, acknowledging the emotions they go through are all foundational to build strong relationships in a trusted company culture.
💡Fosters Creativity and Innovation: Employees who feel valued and recognized, feel energized to share new and innovative ideas. The trusted relationships and company culture fosters creativity and innovation.
As leaders, let’s acknowledge and celebrate our team’s contributions, and make everyone feel recognized and valued at the individual level.
It is extremely critical to “lead by example” by embedding “Employee Recognition” in your leadership style and make it a daily practice. With employee recognition strategies, it is possible to transform lives and workplaces to create positive impact.
Whether you are a leader or not, everyone needs and deserves to be recognized at work. Now let’s turn the mirror to ourselves and think about the moments we felt recognized.
What do you like to be recognized for? Which one is your priority?
Job Performance: Performance related accomplishments, delivering high-quality work, meeting deadlines, achieving goals, being a team-player.
Extra Effort and Dedication: Years of service, loyalty, going beyond and above job description, extra hours, extra responsibilities.
Personal Values and Emotions: Respect for emotional well-being, alignment of personal values and work contribution, recognizing positive emotions, displaying compassion and empathy, acknowledging life events, support during difficult times.
Learning and Development: Invest in personal and professional development, taking on leadership roles and mentoring colleagues
“When we create environments where we’re allowed to be who we are and be authentic and vulnerable, we create space for innovation, for real change and disruption. That is the key.”- Brene Brown, Dare to Lead podcast
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