Down to Details: The Four Effects of Specific Employee Recognition
I'm very lucky.
I work in an environment where recognition is integral to our company culture.
My co-workers and I know that employee recognition and employee engagement is a central part of encouraging one another to produce the highest quality work that we can on a consistent basis.
We are a diverse group with many different strengths and aptitudes, and we can work together to tackle tough issues on a day-to-day basis.
But when I ask my colleagues what element of recognition motivates them the most, their answer is loud and clear: specificity.
A specific recognition communicates so much more than a general one: a general recognition indicates that your co-workers know that you've been working hard; a specific one shows that your colleagues understand the kind of work you're undertaking, its challenges and frustrations, and how to support you in your work.
Specific employee recognition doesn't just feel good, it produces real effects in your workplace.
How do you make employee recognition more effective in your business? Do you have ways to align your employees behaviors to your company values?
I work in an environment where recognition is integral to our company culture.
My co-workers and I know that employee recognition and employee engagement is a central part of encouraging one another to produce the highest quality work that we can on a consistent basis.
We are a diverse group with many different strengths and aptitudes, and we can work together to tackle tough issues on a day-to-day basis.
But when I ask my colleagues what element of recognition motivates them the most, their answer is loud and clear: specificity.
A specific recognition communicates so much more than a general one: a general recognition indicates that your co-workers know that you've been working hard; a specific one shows that your colleagues understand the kind of work you're undertaking, its challenges and frustrations, and how to support you in your work.
Specific employee recognition doesn't just feel good, it produces real effects in your workplace.
- Increased Employee Engagement.
When my co-workers show that they truly understand and recognize my work, they strengthen the ties of our professional relationship.
We can work together as a team, secure in the knowledge that our colleagues will be supportive of our hard work. - Repeated Behavior.
We all know that what is recognized gets repeated.
This trend is doubly effective when we know which behaviors and which qualities are most desirable and in line with corporate values.
If a recognition just says "good job," it doesn't let me know which elements of my work contributed to the success of the company.
This positive feedback is integral to building positive practices in our workplace. - Streamlined Goal-setting.
The fastest way to get to a goal is when the whole team understands what needs to be done to get there.
An efficient team will set long-, intermediate- and short-term benchmarks to hit on the way to reaching their goals.
Specific recognition acts as a micro-benchmark: it gives valuable information on exactly how well a team or team member is doing on an interpersonal level and on a day-to-day basis. - Aligned Values.
When specific recognition is shared, the behaviors become part of a public dialogue that reinforces and perpetuates company values.
The entire community will have a concrete example to remind them of the central values of the company.
It re-aligns your workforce around a common set of values.
How do you make employee recognition more effective in your business? Do you have ways to align your employees behaviors to your company values?
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