The Impact of Employee Recognition on Mental Health

Regular recognition improves well-being, motivation, productivity, and so much more. Gallup has found employees should be recognized for great work about once a week. From prior experiences, I completely agree. My last role was one where I was managing a team of individual contributors while also building and scaling a product. A LOT was going on at once. Even with a full agenda, one thing we made sure to make time for at the beginning of each weekly team meeting was recognition. Leader to IC, peer-to-peer, anything....everything. The goal was to show recognition for everyone in the room. There are always a LOT of things going on. And in those instances, the little things can go unnoticed. Those "things", no matter how small, are contributions from the team. When the "things" go unnoticed, the individuals FEEL unnoticed. Unappreciated --> not valued. Including recognition in a group setting provides transparency, and accountability, and opens the lines of communication. As a result, everyone felt included, important, and valued. When was the last time you showed recognition, or appreciation for your team? Photo credit to: @gallup #employeeengagement #productivity #wellbeing #teamwork #workplacewellbeing #recognition

As an employee, I've come to realize that feeling valued in the workplace is like sunlight for personal and professional growth 🌱 . It's the fuel that ignites passion and fosters a sense of purpose. But it's equally important to acknowledge how it feels when you don't feel valued. 👎 🌦️ The Weight of Being Undervalued: When an organization overlooks the contributions of its employees, it can feel like a heavy cloud hanging over your enthusiasm and motivation. It's demoralizing and can lead to disengagement. ❤️ The Empowerment of Being Valued: On the flip side, being appreciated and valued by your employer has an incredible impact. It boosts self-confidence, inspires creativity, and fuels a desire to go above and beyond. It's like a high five that conveys, "We see you, and your work matters." 🤔 Valuing Employees in Tough Times: Now, more than ever, organizations face economic challenges that can make employee recognition seem like a luxury. However, it's in these times that valuing employees becomes even more crucial. Here's how organizations can do it: 1️⃣ Transparent Communication: Open and honest communication about the challenges the organization faces helps employees understand the bigger picture. 2️⃣ Recognition Beyond Rewards: While financial rewards are important, non-monetary recognition like a heartfelt "thank you" or public acknowledgment can go a long way. 3️⃣ Career Development: Provide opportunities for skill development and growth (not just more workload), even if promotions or pay raises are temporarily on hold. 4️⃣ Employee Well-being: Show concern for the well-being of employees, offering resources and support for mental and physical health. 5️⃣ Employee Involvement: Encourage employees to contribute ideas and solutions to navigate tough times, making them feel part of the solution. 6️⃣ Celebrate Wins: Recognize and celebrate achievements, from all parts of the organization, to maintain a positive atmosphere. Feeling valued isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a cornerstone of a healthy, thriving workplace. When employees are empowered and appreciated, they become resilient, dedicated, and committed to the organization's success, even in tough times. As employees, we play a significant role in fostering a culture of appreciation, and it starts with recognizing and valuing each other's contributions. #EmployeePerspective #ValuingEmployees #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeWellbeing

Too often, work goes unnoticed. But people want to be seen. A recent statistic had me thinking: 37% of employees claim that increased personal recognition would significantly enhance their work output. This insight comes from an O.C. Tanner survey, which leveraged 1.7 million responses from employees across various industries and company sizes. Beyond just feeling nice, recognition emerges as the most impactful driver of motivation. It makes real-time feedback, personal appreciation, and meaningful rewards not just nice-to-haves — they're must-haves to fuel performance. Here are concrete ways you can supercharge your recognition efforts to resonate deeply with your team: (1) Spotlight Specifics: Highlight specific achievements. Hilton’s Recognition Calendar equips managers with daily actionable ideas that turn recognizing real accomplishments into a routine practice. (2) Quick Kudos: Swift praise is so important. Timeliness in recognition makes it feel authentic and maintains high motivation levels. (3) Tailored Cheers: Personalize your appreciation. Crowe's "Recognize Alert" system enhances recognition by transforming client praises into celebratory moments, encouraging recipients to pay it forward. (4) Genuine Thank-Yous: Don't underestimate the power of small gestures. Regular acknowledgments, whether through handwritten notes or intranet shout-outs, create a culture where appreciation is commonplace. You do it, others will do it too. (5) Big Picture Praises: Connect individual achievements to the company’s larger mission. Texas Health Resources celebrates personal milestones with personalized yearbooks that link each person’s contributions to the organization’s goals. Using these practices genuinely and consistently can make every team member feel truly valued and more connected to the collective mission. Each act of recognition builds a stronger, more engaged team, poised to meet challenges and drive success. #Recognition #Appreciation #FeelingValued #Workplace #Culture #Innovation #HumanResources #Leadership Source: https://lnkd.in/e8jUtHZH