Giving recognition
Did someone in your team do something amazing this week?
Did you acknowledge it? If not, why not?
Recognition is fuel for performance, for culture, and for people feeling like they matter. So it's a pretty important thing to have going well in your workplace.
Gallup research shows that employees who don’t feel recognised are twice as likely to quit in the next year. But when people feel genuinely seen engagement, wellbeing, and retention go way up. So if your team feels invisible — don’t be surprised when they disengage.
Here's a few ways to show appreciation ...
🔹 1. Call it out in the moment
“Hey, before we move on — I just want to acknowledge the way you handled that client call. You stayed calm, clear, and solution-focused. That really stood out.”
Why it works: It’s specific, immediate, and emotionally grounded.
🔹 2. A thoughtful message — just to them
Send a short Slack/Teams message or email:
“Just wanted to say thanks for owning the XYZ task this week. It didn’t go unnoticed — your attention to detail really helped things land well.”
Why it works: Private praise can feel more genuine for people who aren’t into public shoutouts.
🔹 3. Use “because of you…” language
“Because of you, that meeting felt more focused and productive.” “Because of you, the team had clarity and direction.”
Why it works: It ties their action directly to positive impact.
🔹 4. Voice note or video
If you work remotely, try a quick voice message or short video:
“Hey, just recording this because sometimes email doesn’t do it justice — I appreciated how you stepped up yesterday. Thank you.”
Why it works: Your tone and delivery carry sincerity better than text sometimes.
🔹 5. Highlight them upwards
Tell your manager (or theirs) how much their work contributed:
“I just wanted to let you know — [Name] really helped us hit that milestone. They brought calm when things got wobbly.”
Why it works: Recognition behind someone’s back (in a good way!) builds trust.
🔹 6. Make it part of the culture
Start meetings with a 60-second “recognition round.” Keep it relaxed:
“Anything someone saw this week that deserves a shoutout?”
Why it works: It makes appreciation feel normal, not forced.
🔹 7. Handwritten notes (seriously)
Write a short card:
“I noticed how you handled that challenge. That took courage and professionalism. Thanks for being someone we can count on.”
Why it works: In a digital world, handwritten = memorable.
The small stuff matters. It builds trust, momentum, and culture — one acknowledgement at a time.
So… Did you recognise someone this week? Or did you let it slide?