âAppreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.â – Voltaire
How many of you remember a day when you got praise or a shout-out for your good work? Did you remember that moment, the expression, the feeling? Wasnât it great?
No one accepts a job offer in the hope of getting a recognition letter or an award someday. However, when you get praised or awarded for all your hard work and determination it fills you with excitement and joy and makes you feel special that particular day.
It is that feeling that remains with you throughout your life. A memory to share and cherish. A success story to tell. Praise when given with a whole heart motivates an employee and boosts his/her morale to perform well or even better to leave an incredible mark in his/her personal and professional life.
In todayâs era when everyone is talking about toxic culture, toxic leaders, and toxic relationships, the importance of recognition or appreciation for good work done increases manifold. There are ways above and beyond award that could be as simple as verbally saying âthank youâ, giving a handwritten note, a shout out, and featuring a slide during a company meeting to recognize your employee.
Employee recognition is the best way to show appreciation or acknowledge an employeeâs contribution to the company. Recognition can be a powerful feedback tool and if given timely and appropriately can enhance employee motivation or morale and he/she will not shy away from going the extra mile for the company.
As per one study by Gallup, only 1 in 3 U.S employees strongly agree that in a week they receive recognition or praise for doing good work. It is not uncommon in any given company that employees feel routinely ignored despite putting their best effort into any task or project. In addition, to no surprise employees who do not feel adequately recognized are twice more likely to say that they will quit the job by the next year.
In another study, it has been found that organizations with formal recognition programs have 31% less voluntary turnover and 12X more strong business outcomes.
The psychological effect of recognition and appreciation at the workplace
Positive emotions: When people feel valued their brain releases neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin that are considered âhappy hormonesâ as they increase positive moods and emotions. An employee when appreciated or recognized at the workplace his/her mood gets elevated and he/she experiences a wide range of positive emotions like a sense of pride and accomplishment, feeling happy and confident. Serotonin is associated with feelings of happiness, focus, and calm, whilst dopamine is associated with feelings of rewards, motivation, and productivity.
Motivation: When positive feedback is given, it encourages ongoing effort and improvement. It increases the employee drive to perform well and thus can lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction.
Sense of self: As humans, we thrive on positive feedback from our environment. If at the workplace an employee receives positive mirroring, he/she feels a positive sense of self-worth. It helps them to form a sense of who they are and the value they place on themselves.
Sense of belonging: When an organization or a team values an employee, it enhances their sense of inclusion, belongingness, and connection to the workplace.
Loyalty: When getting due recognition and appreciation, an employee then develops a deeper emotional connection with an organization, which can lead to a feeling of commitment and loyalty towards the organization.
Mental wellbeing: According to research, an individual who feels sufficiently recognized or appreciated at work is 91% more likely to thrive both professionally and personally thus contributing to the overall positive mental wellbeing outcomes and increased job satisfaction level.
What is Aidosol’s understanding about recognition and appreciation?
At Aidosol, we believe, that recognition is a powerful tool that can transform workplace culture, boost morale, and drive organizational success. Also, we try to reinforce positive behavior by recognizing and rewarding our employees to encourage them to continue performing at high levels. We emphasize the overall mental well-being of our employees and thus practice frequent recognition and appreciation programs to reduce their stress levels. Employees at Aidosol feel appreciated, valued, and less likely to experience burnout and hence they maintain a positive outlook toward their work and organization.