There is an art to acknowledgement. Embracing it can see tremendous returns

In today’s fast-paced workplace, achieving targets and meeting deadlines is paramount. So it’s not surprising that many overlook the significant influence that results from a simple act of acknowledgement. When we take the time to recognize, appreciate and thank, we can fuel motivation, further loyalty, nurture collaboration and create a positive workplace culture.

That’s a tremendous return on something that often takes only a few minutes. Acknowledgement is not a replacement for adequate monetary compensation. But assuming that people are paid fairly, recognition can go a long way to not only demonstrate your appreciation for your employees and coworkers, but to also keep spirits high.

When individuals receive genuine and meaningful acknowledgement for their contributions, it triggers a range of positive psychological reactions. It fosters a sense of validation and boosts self-esteem, leading to increased competence and confidence. It acts as a driving force, fueling intrinsic motivation and inspiring continued high performance, improved engagement and greater productivity. It promotes a sense of happiness, satisfaction and fulfillment, reducing stress and creating a positive work environment that supports mental and emotional health. And if all this weren’t enough, the eventual result is that employees experience a sense of loyalty to the organization, which means that good people choose to stay.

But for all this to happen, one must recognize appropriately. There is an art to acknowledgement. Done incorrectly, it can come across as disingenuous. Even worse, your good intentions may backfire. To create the greatest positive impact when you acknowledge others, take the following four factors into account.

Be specific

Be specific about the action or effort. .....

This was originally published as one of my regular columns in The Globe and Mail on June 3, 2023. If you have a subscription, you can read the rest on their site here: https://bit.ly/3NKofAd. And if you don't, a pdf version is archived here: https://www.turningmanagersintoleaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/GM_ManagementOnline_071023.pdf