Appreciation and Recognition will change the workplace for the better

Employee Appreciation Day is an event, observed on the first Friday in March, meant for employers to give thanks or recognition to their employees.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.

Proverbs 3:27 ESVTweet

Benefits of Recognition

There are many benefits to recognizing the contribution of your team and those that you work with.  It takes a mature leader to find ways to value the efforts and achievements of the people they work with.  Mature leaders are not necessarily the boss. Anyone can take the initiative and recognize someone else.  It can be as simple as a verbal acknowledgment or something creative like a certificate made on your computer. Calling out the value that someone brings to something is very positive and can produce great benefits:

• Reinforces positive behavior and serves as an example. Recognizing good behavior, habits or performance serves as a way of reinforcing the positive attributes you want to see consistently in your team. Don’t underestimate the power of setting an example.
• Recognition reduces anxiety and boosts self-esteem. Appreciation and recognition are small gifts you can give to your employees that make a big impact. They are effective ways of alleviating employee anxiety because they build self-confidence and provide positive feedback on performance. They remove ambiguity, and answer the question “Am I doing a good job?” Confidence is an underrated quality that has exponential benefits for the owner of it.
• Companies with a culture of recognition and appreciation attract high-quality candidates. Talented job seekers are looking for jobs with organizations that will not only make use of their talents but also where employers show appreciation for their achievements and help them grow professionally and personally. Companies that prioritize appreciation and recognition understand that work is more than just financial compensation. It can be about health too. Healthy working environments paired with purpose in jobs make for a productive environment that high achievers want to be a part of.

The bible gives many examples of the value of affirming good character and right behavior, Paul calls out three men by name who helped him in his job, Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus. He has this to say about them:

“They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you. You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well.”

1 Corinthians 16:18 NLTTweet

The key to recognition and appreciation is to communicate value to someone. Value can clearly be communicated through money.  Bonuses and gift cards are obvious ways to display value, but value is not simply communicated financially. Thoughtfulness communicates value. Meaningful words, insightful gifts, awards, group recognition, and promotion are all avenues to recognize someone. How creative can you get?