As a leader, showing your employees appreciation is essential for building a positive and productive work environment. It’s not just about what you say but also about what you do. Showing employees that you value their hard work and contributions is key to keeping them engaged, motivated and committed to their roles.
Here are four ways to effectively show your employees that you appreciate them:
Ignore small mistakes: Sometimes the best way to show appreciation is to give your employees leeway when they need it. If they make small mistakes, such as missing a project deadline by a few hours or neglecting a minor task, allow them to try again rather than reprimanding them. This shows that you appreciate their hard work and that you trust them to do their best.
Give a financial incentive: To encourage employees to do their best, consider offering financial incentives. You can start small by offering gift cards to local stores or coffee shops. To recognize bigger accomplishments, offer quarterly, annual or project-based bonuses to team members who reach predefined goals or who make the most substantial contributions.
Offer extra time off: Although most employees value financial incentives, many also appreciate intangible rewards like additional time off. Consider giving top-performing employees an afternoon off each month, or allow select team members to adopt a flexible schedule during a given time frame. You can also show your recognition by allowing employees to work remotely, which is a benefit that people in most industries value highly.
Create a rewards system: If each of your employees has different preferences for receiving recognition, develop a rewards system that allows each person to choose their own incentives. Assign a certain number of points to major tasks and accomplishments, and track the points that each team member receives. Allow them to trade their points for rewards of their choice, such as days off or contributions toward continuing education.
In conclusion, showing your employees appreciation is essential for building a positive and productive work environment. Remember it’s not just about what you say but also about what you do, and taking action to show your employees that you appreciate them, will lead to a more engaged, motivated, and committed team.
Lead From Within: Many leaders say they appreciate their employees, but the best leaders show it by truly giving their employees what they need and want.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- 12 Successful Leadership Principles That Never Grow Old
- A Leadership Manifesto: A Guide To Greatness
- How to Succeed as A New Leader
- 12 of The Most Common Lies Leaders Tell Themselves
- 4 Proven Reasons Why Intuitive Leaders Make Great Leaders
- The One Quality Every Leader Needs To Succeed
- The Deception Trap of Leadership
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.