Appreciation & Recognition

Over 10 years in the recruiting business, thousands of interviews from staff positions to the C-suite, I would always ask the proverbial question "why are you leaving?". The most common response I received was "I don't feel recognized or appreciated for the contribution I've made."

What is the delineation of appreciation and recognition? Are they different or the same? I believe they are similar but not the same and often confused..

Recognition is acknowledgment based on a positive outcome: closing the deal, completing the project, getting promoted, graduating etc.

Appreciation is given based on a person not an outcome. Appreciation is finding the value. Value can be found in both positive and negative outcomes, because there is always a person on either end. It's when the project failed and your leader comes in, sits down with you, empathizes and embraces the failure with you. Failures happen, you are human, sometimes things are out of our control, we embrace failure, grow, learn, and move on. A real leader makes you feel appreciated for who you are and not just what you do.

When people truly feel appreciated, productivity sky rockets. Loyalty to leaders and the organization is devout, motivation is high in a culture of appreciation and recognition.

I recently heard a "manager" say that he is not going to recognize someone for doing their job. My blood boiled and I thought to myself that he probably took all the recognition for himself... which is commonplace in a dominance hierarchy, dog eat dog, each man for himself, industrial revolution production and profit-focused culture. I said "You have people who are dedicating their most valuable resource of time, their unique talents, and limited energy to your vision. You're telling me that is not worth appreciating or recognizing???"

The craziest thing is that appreciation and recognition is the thing many people want most and it's FREE! Showing appreciation to your staff takes a few minutes, a thank you goes along way! If you are feeling extra generous make a few comments of what you appreciated and recognize their contribution in a meeting.

Not only does this work in business, try this at home, with your kids. Every child is begging to be appreciated and recognized. Tell your spouse you appreciate the hard work and contribution they make. The words alone plant seeds of love, connection, and deepens the bonds of relationships.

I believe that when you appreciate and recognize those around you, the depth of relationship is expanded, respect is earned, trust is established, and loyalty is freely given.

You can always find someone to appreciate and everyone wants to be appreciated.