The Power of Recognition - Fuelling Employee Motivation

Employee recognition isn't just a feel-good practice; it's a strategic investment. Studies show recognised employees thrive in the workplace!

Employee recognition isn't just a feel-good practice; it's a strategic investment.

The human element behind recognition is powerful. It taps into our core need to feel valued. When employees feel appreciated, they're more motivated, satisfied, and committed to their work.

Here's how to leverage the power of recognition for a more successful team:

Specificity is Key

Generic praise is nice, but specific recognition is far more impactful. Highlight a specific accomplishment or behavior that aligned with company values or goals.

Timeliness Matters

Don't let great work go unnoticed. Recognise achievements promptly to maximise the positive impact.

Variety is the Spice of Life

Tailor your recognition to the individual. Some might appreciate public praise, while others prefer a more private gesture.

Go Beyond the Monetary

While bonuses are nice, recognition doesn't have to be financial. Public shout-outs, extra time off, or personalised gifts can be equally meaningful.

A 2022 Gallup study found that highly recognized employees are 13% more productive and 3 times more likely to be thriving at work [1].

The Human Touch: Making it Personal

True recognition goes beyond simply saying "good job." Here's where the human element comes into play. It's vital to remember you may be rewarding them for contributing to the bottom line, but that's not all that matters to them.

The game changer comes when you personalise not only the reward itself but the recognition. By connecting the recognition to their own performance goals, or values or what matters to them, will convey your attention to detail and genuine care about their professional development and contributions.

Make it personal with these important considerations:

Understand your team members' preferences.
Connect the recognition to the individual's goals and values.
Show genuine appreciation - a heartfelt thank you goes a long way.

By incorporating these steps and fostering a culture of appreciation, managers can unlock the power of recognition to motivate their teams, improve performance, and create a more positive work environment.

A Christian Perspective

True recognition comes from being able to see past the surface of people and how God sees them. This is more than seeing them as a sinner and accepting their faults, it's also about seeing their talents and supporting and developing these.

Our talents are not to be confused with spiritual gifts or the Fruit of the Spirit which are borne in Christians by The Holy Spirit. However, God does give each of us unique talents and it's important you can see these as God sees them in His all people He created.

How much more powerful then is it to support and help grow such a God given talent? By taking this Biblical approach in how you 'see' individuals within your team, you will also be able to more clearly understand and identify growth and development and uncover an appropriate way to applaud and celebrate this.

We are called to love others - even our enemies - and this is a powerful way to demonstrate that love in the context of the workplace.

What will you change about how you recognise and reward your employees?

Further Reading:
"Drive" by Daniel Pink [2]
"The 5 Languages of Appreciation" by Gary Chapman [3]

Sources:
[1] Gallup: The ROI of Recognition https://www.gallup.com/topic/recognition.aspx
[2] "Drive" by Daniel Pink
[3] "The 5 Languages of Appreciation" by Gary Chapman