Organizations must make a habit of appreciating their
employees. To grow and succeed, they must also
show an awareness of need for their employees.
This will help each person, individually, to develop
ownership of both the importance and significance of
the organization's mission, vision, values and goals.
Acknowledging the effort, work and skills that each
employee contributes can have a significant impact
on how they interact with each other, you and those
you serve.
Additionally, a positive and appreciative workplace
environment will enhance your ability to address
competency deficits and understand how skills can
be improved.
Simply put, a positive culture of appreciation will
make the workplace more enjoyable, satisfying and
productive for your team.
Consider the following simple ideas to create a
culture of appreciation:
1. Avoid awards that set people apart from each
other. For instance, programs for the top employee
only recognize one person. Could that person do the
job without the rest of the team that delivers the
product or service? The whole team should be
recognized, don’t you think?
When only one person is recognized, a culture of the
individual is the focus. The work of many who made
the success of one is largely ignored. It creates
winners and losers.
Not only is it important for the individual to be
recognized, but those who helped in the success
need to be appreciated for their efforts as well.
2. Help employees set their own goals. You hired
them because they were skilled and you believed
they were right for the job. Why not simply tell them
what outcomes you expect, then get out of their
way and let them do their job?
Help them understand how they help the team and
the organization, and acknowledge their
contributions.
3. Expect a mutually appreciative organization.
Urge your staff to acknowledge others regularly. Use
your internal informal information network –
newsletters, electronic message boards, etc. where
you and colleagues can brag on one another.
4. If you meet, let them talk. Give time for anyone
who needs to be heard. Encourage folks to talk
about real accomplishments for the week, month or
quarter. If they don’t do it, brag for them. Take the
lead.
5. Focus on overall strengths. It is important to
recognize people for what they do well and not just
for specific achievements. It will be easier for them
to hear bad news when it inevitably comes. Think of
ways to recognize how their work contributes to the
overall success of the team or organization.
6. Make everyone aware of the diversity of strengths
and gifts each individual brings to their work. Staff
members can learn from one another if they know
what each has to offer. Don’t keep strengths a
secret!
Feeling appreciated makes one feel as though they
belong. Belonging brings out a feeling of worth.
Worthiness encourages confidence, and confidence
builds one’s competence. Building a culture of
appreciation builds confident and competent
employees. Confident and competent people will
build productive, healthy and successful
organizations.
