Recognition: a how-to guide
Recognition is essential to well-being in the workplace. Its benefits are numerous, but are you wondering how to recognize your employees’ contributions? Well, we’ve got some ideas for you!
Creating a culture of recognition
To integrate recognition into your daily routine, it’s important to realize that it’s an attitude to adopt towards work and towards your colleagues. First and foremost, you need to make yourself aware of the importance of recognition at work, and understand that it is an expression of your consideration for others.
Be on the lookout for opportunities to give recognition, and try to understand the effect your acts of recognition have on others.
Recognizing through feedback
Feedback is a way of recognizing others and the work they do. We’re used to feedback from manager to employee, but did you know that feedback can be applied to any work relationship? Between colleagues, to your manager, to customers and even to job applicants!
Positive feedback sends a message to the other person that you value them and their contribution to the company. But whether it’s positive or constructive, feedback is also a way of acknowledging the effort and time someone has put into their work. Constructive (also known as “negative”) feedback therefore has its place – it’s all in the approach! Stay tuned for a future article on this topic!
Going beyond good words with integrative recognition
Integrative recognition goes beyond the job in hand. You can recognize employees by :
- Listening to their ideas, opinions and difficulties (and making sure you follow up!);
- Involving them in business and management decisions, in carrying out projects and implementing changes;
- Giving them your trust.
Letting your employees know that they are an integral part of the company is a good way of thanking them for their contribution.
Recognition: a daily practice
Yes, recognition at work is first and foremost an attitude, but it must be translated into small gestures on a daily basis. For recognition that makes an impact, here are a few practices to put in place:
- Give preference to discreet, repeated and sincere recognition practices that are as close as possible to the facts and in line with the person’s duties;
- Take an interest in the day-to-day actions of your colleagues, not just the results;
- Praise original ideas or innovative work methods developed by your colleagues;
- Offer specific and genuine recognition, based on the skills and qualities specific to the person concerned.
Frequent, true and precise recognition is recognition that makes people feel good!
Knowing how to give recognition, and understanding its effect on the individual, is the key to creating a culture of recognition and shared responsibility.