Recognition for the Sake of All!
Who appreciated you last at work, on what subject? Do you remember?
When did you sincerely thank a colleague?
Did you know that appreciation makes a difference in the lives of both people who get appreciation and the person who appreciates?
It seems that appreciating a positive behavior is more than just a rule of courtesy, considering the effects it causes.
What Is the Background of Appreciation from A Neurological Perspective?
At UCLA – Center for Mindfulness Awareness Research, it has been found that when we express gratitude and receive it, the neural structures in our brains change, and we feel happier. Being appreciated and appreciating others triggers good hormones in the body and regulates the effective functioning of the immune system.
Scientists claim the exchange of appreciation activates the reward center in the brain, changing the way we see the world and ourselves. When we thank or receive thanks, our brain automatically focuses on what we have, generating intrinsic motivation and a strong awareness of the present. Sincere appreciation acts as a catalyst for neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which at the neurochemical level govern our gratitude, anxiety, and immediate stress responses (1).
Leadership expert Robin Sharma, whose books have been published in 70 different languages, explains it as:
“Gratitude drives happiness. Happiness boosts productivity. Productivity reveals mastery. And mastery inspires the world.”
On top of all that, appreciating someone has the potential to create a kind of butterfly effect! According to research, people who get appreciation tend to act with higher consideration for the benefit of society and other people because they feel socially valuable (2).
8 Out of 10 Employees Who Resigned Say That They Have Not Recognized
We can talk about the positive effects of being appreciated and appreciating someone, but the price of not being appreciated is quite heavy for everyone.
In the United States and Canada, The O.C. Tanner Institute and HealthStream (3) conducted a study with 100,000 people and found that 79% of employees who quit their job were left jobs because they have not recognized. In contrast, 94% of the most motivated employees think their managers know them well. Thus, it would not be wrong to say that recognition is a kind of appreciation for employees because it creates the feeling that they are seen and heard as individuals with their ideas and needs. Also, it shows that their existence is known and valued.
So, What Can We Do?
There are many ways to recognize someone, but the golden rules are frequency, timing, and sincerity.
It is not always necessary to wait for a moment of glory to recognize. When things do not go the right way, you can appreciate an employee or colleague who needs motivation, recognizes someone’s effort they put into their work, and make them feel that you trust them. Also, you can use the moments such as when a difficult task is completed, a crisis is resolved, or a daily record is broken… The positive climate created by drawing attention to a positive situation you see, big or small, and using every opportunity for recognition is priceless.
Recognize at the right time. Positive things have a much greater impact when they have recognized as soon as they have noticed. Give thanks when that moment is fresh in everyone’s minds. Options may include congratulation right after a job well done, giving a personalized gift, writing a nice thank-you note, giving the person additional time off, or taking them out to dinner if the circumstances allow.
Nothing can be replaceable by being sincere. The usual phrase of thank you that gives an idea like “just because it was necessary” is unlikely to make people feel good. First of all, being specific about what you recognize will show your sincerity. Instead of a random thank you over-generalizations, giving personal praise to emphasize what you appreciate is a crucial detail for the employee to feel recognized. For example, instead of saying “Thank you for doing a good job”, say “You are the source of our creative ideas. Thank you for your effort!”. It will make a difference and make the people feel that both themself and their effort are visible.
Finally, creating a culture of recognition and ensuring its continuity is also important to see positive results in the long term. You can start by identifying the little things you can recognize with daily or weekly goals so that it becomes a habit.
References
https://positivepsychology.com/neuroscience-of-gratitude/#brain-effects
https://faculty.wharton.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/GrantGino_A-LitteThanks.pdf
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