You arrive at the office an hour early and stay late for three days straight, meticulously preparing for the big presentation to a new client. You’ve analyzed every slide, anticipated every question, and preemptively solved potential issues. Yet, on the presentation day, the client decides to walk away due to financial reasons completely out of your control.
As you sit through the next team meeting, your boss brushes over the hard work that went into the presentation and instead focuses on the need to work harder for the next one. You can’t help but feel that your time and effort were completely overlooked. In that moment, you long for acknowledgment – something to remind you that your dedication was noticed and that it still matters, even when things don’t go according to plan.
The Power of Employee Recognition
When efforts go unrecognized, morale and motivation can suffer. Regular praise is just as important for personal and professional development as constructive criticism. The best part? Celebrating and empowering your employees creates a more positive workplace culture, boosts employee engagement, and energizes your team – all of which make your organization more profitable and sustainable. Calling team members out when they go above and beyond encourages them to bring new ideas to the table and makes them feel more valued.
Acknowledge Effort, Not Just Results
Don’t just celebrate results – acknowledge milestones, extra effort, small wins, and all of the “unseen” work happening behind the scenes. The hard work of your team is at the root of everything your organization accomplishes, so there must be some positive incentive to achieve even if the results are still in progress. This added boost might be the missing piece your team members need to innovate solutions, find creative opportunities to collaborate or get through a mentally tough day. Emphasize how their efforts are connected to the larger-picture goals that you are working towards.
Be Specific and Personal
Which members of your team are working hard even when they think no one is watching? How are they handling challenges and treating other members of the team? Actively look for opportunities to bring individuals into the spotlight and be specific about what they are doing that stands out. Consider the difference between these two statements: “You’re doing a great job!” versus “Your ability to break down the data into clear points during the presentation was impressive.” Employees want to know exactly what they did well and how it contributed to the team or company. Specific praise helps reinforce positive behaviors and sets a standard for others to follow.
Create a Culture of Recognition
Peer recognition can create a sense of camaraderie and increase feelings of belonging within your team. Imagine hearing about the stellar performance of a team member from one of their close colleagues in your team group chat, and the pride that swells in your chest knowing that you have helped to create a culture of recognition and mutual respect in your organization. As a leader, you are constantly setting the bar for expectations around your organization’s values and encouraging your team to embody the example you set. When recognition becomes part of the company’s culture, employees know it’s something that’s valued across the organization.
Empowering Leaders to Cultivate a Culture of Recognition
To create a company culture focused on uplifting team members and recognizing their efforts, upcoming leaders need to be equipped with the tactics, emotional intelligence, and communication skills needed to cultivate a culture of recognition.
Are you ready to strengthen your leadership team? Front Line Leadership is on a mission to empower leaders with the tools, strategies, and insights they need to excel in today’s fast-paced world. We believe that great leaders are forged when challenges are faced head-on. Our in-person and web-based leadership training modules tackle real-world scenarios and prepare your team to lead with confidence. Contact our team to learn more about Front Line Leadership.