80+ Ways to Recognize Self and Others

There are an infinite number of ways to recognize people - just check out Bob Nelson's series books on the topic. If workplace recognition not top of mind for you (hey, you're busy, I get it!), let's look at easy ways you can incorporate new strategies and bolster what you're already doing!

1. Tell people exactly what you think they did well in the moment.
2. Provide a thumbs-up after a presentation.
3. Make a public comment of praise.
4. Provide a private comment of praise.
5. Ask for their opinion on a problem (and act on it).
6. Affirm that they handled a difficult situation well.
7. Keep them “in the loop.”
8. Trust them with sensitive information.
9. Text a note of recognition.
10. Email a thank-you note.
11. CC others on your thank-you note.
12. Give a genuine smile (that reaches your eyes).
13. Reflect how much you are seeing them grow (specifics, please).
14. Send a handwritten thank-you note.
15. Get others to join you in writing a thank-you card.
16. Write a small blurb (on them, the success of their project, an improvement they’re trialing) for an internal newsletter.
17. Buy them a tea or coffee (especially if you remember what they take in it).
18. Make them a tea or coffee.
19. Give them a package of their favourite tea or coffee.
20. Give them a small token of something they like.
21. Attach a note of acknowledgement to the gift.
22. Praise them to someone else at work (even when they won’t know you did so).
23. Praise them to someone else at work (when they can hear it).
24. Acknowledge what you value in them to their close family member or friend at a gathering.
25. Remind them of their talents, passions, and virtues when they doubt themselves.
26. Coach them through a problem or decision until they decide what they should do.
27. Give them your undivided attention when they need it.
28. Mentor them in a new skill.
29. Provide career advice in a solution-focused way (“I am wondering…”)
30. Affirm you know their dreams or goals will become a reality.
31. Acknowledge something nice they did for someone else (pay it forward).
32. Give them more responsibility in a way they can grow.
33. Tell them specifically what you admire about or learned from them.
34. Let them take full credit for great work (even when you helped to make it successful).
35. Organize a work potluck in their honour (retirement, new job, work anniversary…).
36. Organize a social outing to celebrate a milestone.
37. Order pizza for a team celebration.
38. Acknowledge them in your speech at a party in your honour.
39. Offer to help when you see they are tired or overwhelmed.
40. Tell them, when they’re having a bad day, that you appreciate how they give 100% when they can.
41. Forward an inspirational quote (noting why it reminded you of them).
42. Suggest they should be included on an important project.
43. Offer to present at a conference together.
44. Nominate them for an award at work.
45. Nominate them for an award in their profession.
46. Nominate them for an award in their community.
47. Nominate them for a scholarship or bursary.
48. Tell them about a funding opportunity (and why you feel they are worth every penny).
49. Take them as your guest to a networking event.
50. Introduce them to someone who could help their career.
51. Make e-introductions to influential people who could open doors for them.
52. Recommend them to the nominations committee of a board they would like to join.
53. Mentor them when they join a new organization or board.
54. Recommend them for a job (to your employer or someone you know who's hiring).
55. Write a letter of recommendation.
56. Be a reference.
57. Give them a letter of recommendation before they ask.
58. Give them a job tip.
59. Forward information to them on courses, conferences, or certificate programs you think they’d do well in and tell them why.
60. Acknowledge their contributions in a publication you wrote.
61. Post a recommendation to LinkedIn.
62. Recommend them for specific skills on LinkedIn.
63. Like their LinkedIn updates.
64. Respond to a LinkedIn article by noting how they emulate the article’s topic.
65. Favourite one of their LinkedIn articles.
66. Introduce them to a good social media contact.
67. Personalize a social media congratulation regarding work milestones.
68. Retweet one of their tweets.
69. Favourite one of their tweets.
70. Tweet a picture of them doing something great.
71. Tweet something you heard them say (quote them to fame).
72. Blog something you heard them say.
73. Blog about something you learned from them or why they inspire you.
74. Invite them to be a guest blogger.
75. Write an acknowledging introduction to their guest blog.
76. Forward their blog post.
77. Like a Facebook update.
78. Comment on their Facebook update.
79. Post a note of praise on a Facebook wall.
80. Like a company Facebook page.
81. Share a picture of someone deserving recognition on Facebook.
82. Participate in a recognition planning committee.
83. Give a small token of recognition (e.g., little squashy frog) and explain why they deserve it.
84. Make up a funny poem in their honour.
85. Share an acknowledging story about them at a team event.
86. Cover their role so they can take a much-deserved break.

What could you try starting today? What positive impact might it have in your working relationships, productivity, collaboration and sense of fulfilment? 

Taken from my upcoming book with Brenda Zalter-Minden Forever Recognize Others' Greatness: Solution Focused Strategies to Satisfied Staff, High Performing Teams and Healthy Bottom Lines due out January 2016, available through Amazon or advanced sales at www.greatnessmagnified.com.