Celebrate your employees - in a BIG way!

When we celebrate #TeamMagenta, we tend to go a little overboard. We are the Un-carrier, after all. This year we put the best-of-the-best magenta rock stars on planes all over the country and sent them off to a fun-filled tropical getaway on the breathtaking island of Maui, Hawaii.

This pinnacle event called PEAK is truly a celebration of a lifetime, as it celebrates the top 0.5% of employees in the company who were nominated by their peers for their outstanding work. As a member of our senior leadership team, I feel honored to meet these great people and share in their pride and enthusiasm for T-Mobile, the job they do, and their hard-earned recognition. Plus, it’s exhilarating to witness so much magenta on Maui for a few days!

Sure, going to Hawaii is a big treat. But I know that employee recognition isn’t just about a trip like this. It’s something woven into our culture and values, which guides our actions. One of our core values is One Team, Together. It means we celebrate, listen to, empower, and include each other. It’s just who we are and it’s how we win.

Leaders, listen up! Did you know that one survey found that?65% of employees?haven’t received any form of recognition for good work in the last year? That’s not the way to do business and certainly not how we do things at T-Mobile.

And what about retention? I read another study that showed that an employee who has been recognized is?63% more likely?to stay at his or her current job within the next three to six months. That’s measurable.

As the chief human resources officer, I know that taking good care of our employees is good for our bottom line … and more important, happy employees fuel our customer obsession. Not only that, employee recognition promotes morale, increases productivity, and builds positive relationships. Praise for employee accomplishments reinforces quality performance, benefiting both the employee and the company.

At T-Mobile, we have an online Appreciation Zone, which is a hub for celebrating one another on a daily basis. It allows any employee to give a virtual “high-five” to a colleague, or a manager can send a team member a gift. It might be a celebration of a magentaversary or a congrats for doing a good job. In addition to PEAK, we also have an annual Winner’s Circle honor, which honors the top 1% of performers in our frontline or frontline support functions, including retail, care and technology.

We caught up with a couple of our PEAK winners earlier this week and asked them what it means for them to be part of this elite group and why they love being part of T-Mobile.

Casey Cohen, Consumer Markets, Customer Loyalty Manager – Maryland (5 years)

Why is employee recognition such an important part of our company culture?

Casey: It feels good to know that someone values you and your hard work. There is no better feeling than recognizing someone for their achievements and making them smile and feel amazing about what they do. This only encourages them to do it again and again. It also builds confidence and reassurance to know that you are doing something right.?

How do you like to be rewarded and recognized?

Casey: I consider myself a humble person, so I prefer to recognize others rather than be recognized myself. My reward is to make others smile and feel good about themselves. Making an impact on someone’s life and having them believe and trust in you is the ultimate reward!?

If you had to tell someone why they should work for the Un-carrier, what would you say?

Casey: I would have to say it’s to?experience our unique and positive culture. When you work for T-Mobile, you feel part of something special. It is a challenging and highly rewarding working atmosphere that is customer-driven and allows you to BE YOU.?

Robin Payla, Senior Business Analysis Manager, Marketing – Florida (15 years)

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Why is employee recognition such an important part of our company culture?

Robin: At any organization, there are employees who go over and above expected performance for their employer simply because they love their jobs, and it is important to acknowledge those individuals. Positive reinforcement means your workforce will continue to upskill and improve.

How do you like to be rewarded and recognized?

Robin: I believe bonuses, awards and prizes are still a timeless way to show appreciation. Recognition creates stronger emotional relationships between leadership and employees.?

If you had to tell someone why they should work for the Un-carrier, what would you say?

Robin: T-Mobile is a recognized model of what the telecommunications industry should look like, where the culture, benefits, diversity and inclusion are world class. A place where the customer comes first, and we understand our core job is to provide the best service. It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of a brand that strives daily to provide the best customer service in such a competitive market.

Thank you to Casey and Robin for helping us put the Un-carrier culture into words. This is why I have the best job in the world. I get so fired up just hearing from these incredibly passionate people, and I can’t wait to see what they do next.