Five Ways to Make Your Team Feel Appreciated

Employee appreciation can lead to the greatest benefits in your workplace. A simple "good job" or a pat on the back can go a long way. When you make your team feel appreciated, you will start to see an increase in employee engagement, a boost in productivity, and a stronger company culture. Not only will your team members be much more invested in their roles, but you will also see that the business is positively impacted.?

So, with how much good appreciation can do for your workplace, it could be time to implement these five suggestions into your leadership strategies.?

1. Take the Time to Check In?

You would be surprised at how impactful asking how your team members are doing each day can be. When you take the time to check in on your team members individually, you are showing that you value them as people and prevent them from feeling invisible in the workplace. Implementing a routine where you speak with each team member and establish a relationship with them outside of workloads can make them feel known by you and help increase the feeling of appreciation across the board.?

2. Provide Flexibility?

Being flexible is already a vital trait of being a great leader, but implementing that flexibility within the workplace can help show appreciation to your team. This could look like allowing team members to take lunch at a different time, coming in late and leaving late, or even providing a remote or hybrid work situation. All of these can show that you care and appreciate them and their lives outside of work. Not only that, but that you trust them as well. Flexibility can show that you value them as people.?

3. Ask and Listen?

Leaders can show appreciation to their teams by involving them in the conversation. When you ask them for their input on a current project or an issue, they will see that you trust them and value their opinion. This simple gesture can go a long way and lead to stronger engagement and morale across the team. However, when you ask for input, it is essential to actively listen and consider what is being said. Even if it is not an ideal answer, this is your chance to bounce ideas back and forth and create a collaborative opportunity.?

4. Invest in Their Development?

Appreciation can be shown by investing in your team members' growth and development. When you learn their goals and develop a plan to achieve those aspirations together, you will see that team members become more engaged, productive, and enthusiastic about their workload and projects. This could simply be offering mentorship sessions, providing educational courses, or connecting them with other leaders who can coach and teach them their areas of interest.?

5. Recognize and Reward?

Lastly, what most leaders think of when showing appreciation, recognizing and rewarding. However, this does not need to be done with large bonuses or luxurious gifts (Even though these can be applicable at times); it can be done simply by acknowledging a team member's success in the next meeting, sending them an email stating your appreciation and gratefulness, or offering smaller rewards such as group dinners or office parties. When it comes to rewards, ensure you take the time to assess what your team members may want first. If you want to truly show appreciation, listen and provide recognition and rewards in ways that will be meaningful to your team.?

Showing appreciation is essential as a leader to a growing and successful team. If you have questions or wish to become a stronger leader, send me a message!