Articles and Resources - Appreciation
9 "Free" Ways to Show Appreciation to Your Team
Develop Your Management Skills Through Appreciation
People will work for money, but will go above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to praise and recognition.
Your management skills are telling you that you would never dream of letting your employees go without a computer or workstation for one day, and certainly not more than one week – but when was the last time that you provided a positive comment to one of your employees or peers? Was it within the last day, last week, or last year? If you gave a recent compliment – that’s wonderful! Is it something that you do on a regular basis? If this is part of your regular mantra – good for you! Many of us can take lessons from you.
Positive recognition increases motivation, productivity and teamwork. It boosts job satisfaction and personal self worth.
Many Managers would agree that praise and recognition are important, but the problem is that it is too costly. Not true! There are many ways of thanking folks that do not cost anything – other than their time to recognize the good work that others have done.
I am not talking about flattery – but honest, sincere appreciation. Flattery is meant for personal gain and is only words. Real appreciation comes from the heart and the sender truly means what he or she is saying.
How do you show honest, sincere, genuine appreciation? Tell the other person what you admire about them, the reason why and back it up with a situation when this quality was demonstrated.
Develop your Management Skills - 9 "Free" Ways of Showing Appreciation.
1. Say "thank you" and shake their hand
2. Send an e-mail with an expression of appreciation
3. Post an article in the company newsletter
4. Send a thank you card
5. Host a special celebration or party
- Happy New Year (When old year in finance is completed!)
- Potluck meal or coffee and donuts
- Special theme – Holiday Celebrations
6. Flexible work week or work from home
7. Plum" assignment on a working group or team
8. Special award such as the "top banana", "golden apple" or "employee of the week ... month"
9. Family event such as sleigh ride in the winter or picnic in the summer
Please consider how the event or item will be presented, either in public or private. Managers, you know your employees the best, and what is most suitable.
Now sometimes the other person might be embarrassed by the compliment. (They might not be accustomed to receiving compliments or just shy.) All they need to say is "thank you."
As a management training expert, we did an exercise in which everyone gave a verbal and written compliment to others in their group. Ten years later, class members say that they still have compliment cards in their brief case or desk drawer. Some days, when they are having a difficult time, or their level of confidence needs a boast, they look at the cards and receive an injection of appreciation. These words are worth their weight in gold!
COST IS LOW – IMPACT IN PRICELESS
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