Do your employees know you value them?
We know our teams work hard. However, they may not always feel like their hard work is recognized or appreciated. It’s essential that we make a point to acknowledge all that our employees do for our organizations and reward their efforts. And doing that takes intentionality and regular recognition. But how can we do that?
Here are five strategies we can implement to practice employee appreciation and show our team members we value them.
1. Call out their strengths.
It’s important that we recognize each team member’s unique abilities and traits. If you notice your employee is great at encouraging others or is a good public speaker, tell them! Call out their strengths as you see them and encourage them as you see the opportunity to. We all like to know what we’re doing well or know how other people see us, especially our employers. By sharing your team’s strengths with them, you’ll help affirm them and let them know you see and value who they are as a person.
2. Tell them what they’re doing well.
Just as it’s important to call out positive character traits and strengths, it’s crucial to recognize the ways your team members are positively impacting your organization and your team. Tell your employees you appreciate their timeliness in getting their work done, their attention to detail, or even how they’re working well with their coworkers. Their efforts go beyond just checking off their assignments, so be sure to recognize the ways they’re making an effort to be good, efficient team members.
3. Recognize their accomplishments.
Our teams do a lot for our organizations, and it’s essential that we stop to appreciate all the things they do on a regular basis. It’s easy to get caught up in our own projects, or forget the amount of work it takes to keep our departments running and working like clockwork each day. Pay special attention to the day-to-day operations and activities that may get overlooked. Be intentional about recognizing and thanking your team for the mundane activities as well as the larger-scale projects. By doing so, you’ll help your team members feel seen and supported, even in the small things.
4. Share what they bring to the team.
It’s easy for certain positions or personalities to feel overlooked, or like they don’t contribute as much as others. Remember to recognize how each team member contributes to your team as a whole. Take time to understand everyone’s unique contributions, and how their strengths complement the others on your team. Be intentional about telling your employees the impact they make in their department and how their efforts contribute to their team’s success. Doing so will help them feel included and a part of the team.
5. Practice intentional appreciation.
As you look for opportunities to show employee appreciation, it’s important that you make recognition a regular part of your workflow. Set aside time with a different employee each week to check in and offer your appreciation for all they do. Ask if there are ways they like to be recognized by your organization, whether it be in a meeting or one-on-one, or even through tangible means like a letter of thanks or a gift card. Everyone likes to be recognized in different ways, so don’t be afraid to ask!
Learning to recognize and appreciate your team isn’t a one-time action. It takes intentional, repeated practice to make it a part of your regular routine and interactions with your employees. But by taking steps to show your employees you value them and their contributions, you’ll create a stronger, more unified team and empower them to succeed in your organization for years to come.