As the fear of AI replacing jobs continues to grow, it’s important that we take time to reassure and recognize our team members for their hard work. Doing so will create a culture of mutual trust and help our employees feel secure in their current roles.
Yet, more than 80% of employers do not prioritize recognition in the workplace, according to a survey by Workhuman and Gallup. And sadly, many employees reported receiving positive feedback from their employers only a few times a year.
It’s crucial that we begin reversing this trend and take time to appreciate our employees. By recognizing our employees, we can increase employee engagement by four times and reduce turnover by as much as 56%, according to the same survey. But how?
Here are three ways to recognize your employees in the workplace.
1. Celebrate their accomplishments.
As large projects come and go, it can be easy to move from one deadline to the next without taking time to celebrate the achievement. As a result, employees may feel unnoticed or unappreciated, and quickly feel disillusioned at the seemingly never-ending workload.
A study from the Quantum Workplace found that 71% of employees want to be recognized for their performance or accomplishments in their role. Instead of just thanking our employees as a team, we need to take time to recognize what our team members have accomplished and celebrate their successes individually.
After completing a large project, take time to review the positive outcomes and celebrate the final product. Recognize specific employees and what they contributed to the project. Share how their efforts contributed to the overall success of the project. Be sure to thank your team members one by one for their hard work on the large projects and on the necessary, day-to-day operations as well. It can make all the difference for your team!
2. Voice your gratitude regularly.
Yearly reviews are a great time to thank our employees for their hard work and recognize their performance. However, it’s imperative that we don’t let that be the only time we stop to appreciate our teams.
The Quantum Workplace study shows that less than 10% of remote, on-site and hybrid employees want affirmation only once a year, with the majority preferring weekly or monthly one-on-one feedback. Additionally, a staggering one in three employees who receive feedback less than quarterly report looking for new jobs.
Prioritize one-on-one meetings with your employees as often as you can. Take time to review their performance, calling out their strengths and abilities as you see them, and thank them for their contributions to your team and organization. Ask how they are handling their responsibilities and if there is anything they wish could be improved. By having consistent communication with your team members, you’ll keep your finger on your workplace’s pulse, support your employees, and help address your team’s concerns as they arise.
3. Provide tangible appreciation.
Along with providing your employees with regular verbal affirmation, you can also thank them with deliberate actions and opportunities.
One of the greatest compliments you can give your employees is a promotion. It shows them that you see their potential and strong performance, and value their hard work. Entrusting them with more responsibilities can also be a great way to demonstrate you trust them and value their years of service.
Another great way to show your appreciation is by offering opportunities for personal and professional development. See if your organization will sponsor your team to attend an educational seminar, provide up-to-date training or new technologies they can implement, or even take college courses. By investing in your team, you’ll show your employees that you value them as individuals and want to see them succeed.
Recognizing your team is not a one-time event. It’s about creating a culture of appreciation and respect, where your employees can be seen and appreciated, whatever they are doing for your organization. And it starts by taking deliberate steps each day to encourage your team members, and in doing so, inspiring others to do the same.