“Little things make big things happen.”
– John Wooden
In the hustle and bustle of daily routines, it’s easy to overlook the small gestures that make our lives meaningful. Yet, it is precisely these moments that hold the potential to transform ordinary days into extraordinary experiences, particularly in the workplace. By capitalising on everyday actions and converting them into employee recognition moments, we can foster a more engaged, motivated, and connected workforce. Here are some insights into how everyday actions can become golden opportunities for employee recognition, along with success stories and tips to create a continuous culture of appreciation.
Everyday Actions as Recognition Moments
Consider the myriads of interactions that occur in a workplace on any given day – a team member staying late to help meet a deadline, someone offering a helpful suggestion in a meeting, or even a simple act of refilling the paper in the printer. Each of these actions, while small, contributes to the larger goals of a company and provides a perfect opportunity for employee recognition.
For instance, during team meetings, acknowledging someone who consistently takes diligent notes or praises colleagues can encourage those behaviours. Small thank-you notes left on desks for employees who helped in resolving client issues quickly or spontaneously calling out team members for their hard work during a lunch break can also make significant impacts.
- A Simple Thank You: Never underestimate the power of saying “thank you.” This simple act can make people feel valued and acknowledged. Whether it’s thanking someone for holding the door, assisting with a challenging task, or their regular day-to-day duties, it matters.
- Acknowledging Effort Over Results: Sometimes, despite best efforts, the results may not be as expected. It’s important to recognise the hard work and dedication that goes into the process, not just the outcome. This encourages a growth mindset.
- Celebrating Small Wins: Did someone reach a small milestone? Or perhaps they’ve made progress on a long-term project? Celebrating these small wins can significantly boost morale and encourage further efforts.
Our online employee recognition platform gives you the tools to recognise team members quickly and efficiently. Through our ‘Thank You’ module, you can easily send a message to colleagues which is also highlighted on the homepage of the website. This means your recognition can be seen by everyone, encouraging further thank you messages and ensuring every small success is truly celebrated.
We also like to encourage milestone awards, for example work anniversaries. It’s important to acknowledge and celebrate loyalty to the company. This can also be automated through our online employee recognition portal, meaning you can sit back and relax knowing it’s already taken care of.
Companies That Excel at Everyday Recognition
Companies renowned for their workplace culture often excel in recognising these ordinary moments. These examples illustrate that when companies embed employee recognition into their daily operations, they see enhanced satisfaction and teamwork.
DHL
This well-known shipping company truly values its employees. DHL’s culture of recognition is sincere and timely. Employees can receive various awards, starting with daily acknowledgments.
- “I’m on it” Awards – given by leaders or peers to those who excel in work quality, customer satisfaction, or corporate citizenship.
- Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards: Each level offers a selection of merchandise and travel rewards that employees can choose online.
Adobe
Adobe’s outstanding employee recognition program has significantly boosted engagement to 86%. Their multi-faceted approach includes:
- “Adobe Bravo” for public recognition, accessible online or via an app.
- Monetary rewards for exceptional performance.
- Perks like gift cards and extra vacation days.
Costco
Costco, a top wholesale retailer, is renowned for its excellent benefits and outstanding employee recognition programs. Their employee awards include:
- Employee of the Month (showcased in the food court)
- Extra Mile Award
- Above and Beyond Award
- President’s Award
Tips for Fostering a Culture of Continuous Recognition
Encourage Visible Appreciation: Make recognition public and frequent. This could be through channels like our employee recognition platform, company-wide emails, bulletin boards, or during team meetings.
Empower All Employees: Enable every employee, regardless of their position, to participate in recognising others. This democratises appreciation and enhances its impact. Our online platform allows peer-to-peer thank you’s and employees can even receive a budget periodically, to gift to their colleagues.
Integrate into Daily Workflows: Utilise tools and platforms that integrate recognition into daily workflows. For example, our platform Activate has built-in appreciation features that are highly effective.
Personalise the Recognition: Tailor the recognition to what the individual values. Some might appreciate public acknowledgment, while others might prefer a private thank-you note.
Train Leaders: Leaders should be role models in recognition behaviours. Training them to spot opportunities for appreciation can cascade down through the organisation.
Your Weekly Challenge
Commit to trying one new recognition idea each week. Start small – perhaps with leaving a thank you note for a colleague or publicly praising someone during a team call for their innovative idea. The key is consistency and genuine appreciation. As these small gestures become habits, you’ll likely see a significant transformation in the atmosphere and productivity of your team.
By turning ordinary moments into opportunities for recognition, you not only enhance individual employee experiences but also drive your entire organisation towards a culture of positivity and mutual respect. Remember, the goal is to not only aim for a happier workplace but a more productive and cohesive one.
Get in touch with our friendly recognition experts, and start recognising today!
