Who doesn’t love feeling empowered?
We all love that feeling of knowing we make a difference - especially when that recognition comes from someone who you view as elite in the workforce. What are some ways in which you can keep yourself and your employees empowered throughout the entire day? Boosting someone’s enthusiasm to diligently work hard is not always easy. With everyone having different personality types and “love languages,” it can be a difficult task to continually empower those around us. Recently, we helped ABC Healthcare System’s marketing department with an employee recognition that hit the mark! Let us help you with recognizing your awesome employees!
Incentives
How to know what to give and what not to give? First, you'll need to understand the demographics of your intended recipients. In one of our recent blogs, Not Top 10 Nurses Week Gifts, Devin O'Brien brings up that while something is better than nothing, the more personalized you make the incentive, the better off you will be. This goes along with truly understanding your employees' likes and dislikes. Once you fully grasp what they would love as an incentive, you'll be able to give the perfect recognition piece. In the hit TV series This Is Us, Randall receives an incentive after his father dies, but it's not what you think it is.
When choosing who to give the incentive to, remember to not only praise talent, but effort as well! Your employees are putting forth a lot of effort every day and that can go farther in a company than talent. Praising effort can also lead to new learning, which will then lead to employees not just continuously repeating their work, but growing from it as well. As employers, it is important to know the employee to whom you are giving the incentive, especially if the incentive is something that will lead them to empowerment.
Paper recognition vs. online recognition
Which is the best way? There are many ways in which you can recognize employees through both online and paper options. Paper recognition can be as simple as a thank you card. From letters to certificates to note cards, the options for personalized paper recognition are endless. If your recipient list is of a manageable size, taking the time to send a handwritten sentiment will always be recognized by a recipients as carrying that special personal touch.
When writing this letter, perhaps take a look at SHRM’s steps on how to write a recognition letter. Need your recognition to reach your whole company? Put your employee recognition in your company newsletter and give the recipients an extra chance to shine.
Wanting to reach multiple people or perhaps your entire company? Email can accomplish that with just a simple click. You can customize emails just like paper recognition. Want to go even simpler? Have an employee bulletin board where you and your employees can appreciate each other daily! According to Globoforce, 41% of companies that use peer-to-peer recognition have seen positive increases in customer satisfaction!
Special attention from upper level staff
How and why should this be done? In my opinion, this is the most important way to empower an employee. When upper level staff sees what an employee is doing and recognizes them, this leads to increased workplace performance and satisfaction. According to the Cicero Group, 50% of employees believe being thanked by managers not only improved their relationship but also built trust with their higher-ups. What are some easy ways you can start this trend?
- Take the special employee out to lunch with the upper level staff.
- Give special attention to that employee at your company meetings. Most employees love nothing more than getting attention in front of their peers. It not only shows that you care, but motivates other employees as well.
- Take time to talk to your employees at their desk. As an employer, if you simply talk one on one with your employee to tell them how awesome they’ve been, the results will likely surprise you.
Overall, recognizing those who work hard every day in your organization is a great way to show how much you appreciate your employees. The Harvard business review states that 40% of American workers say they would put more effort into their jobs if their employer recognized them more often. Employees are craving recognition! What better way than through an incentive, paper/email, or upper level staff recognition. One simple means of recognition can create a chain of loyal and awesome employees, which every boss should desire. Interested in how to start this trend? Book a time with us now for more details on how to recognize your employees the O’Brien way!
