How to Earn and Give Recognition at Work

In this edition, we will delve into the transformative power of workplace recognition, exploring how to both earn and give it effectively to foster a culture of appreciation and drive success.

Quote of the Day

“Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.”

—Margaret Cousins

Discovery Learning

Recognition in the workplace is a powerful tool that benefits both employees and organisations. For employees, it boosts morale, fosters a sense of belonging, and motivates them to perform at their best. For organisations, it enhances engagement, strengthens team culture, and drives overall productivity.?

In this article, we explore the dual aspects of recognition—how to earn it through your efforts and contributions and how to effectively give it to others to create a positive, supportive workplace environment. From understanding what recognition truly means to practical tips for implementing it, this guide will help you foster a culture of acknowledgement and appreciation at work.

What Is Recognition At Work?

Recognition at work is a formal acknowledgement of an employee's positive work performance. This recognition usually comes from an employee's coworkers, manager, or department supervisor.?

Work recognition can come in many forms, such as an email of appreciation, a comment during a team meeting or a company award.?

Why Does Recognition Matter?

Recognising your employees provides numerous benefits that positively impact both your team and your organisation. Here are key reasons why employee recognition is essential:

1. Boost Morale: Acknowledging employees’ efforts and praising their performance enhances their confidence, puts them in a positive mindset, and increases overall job satisfaction. This boost in morale often leads to improved creativity and productivity.

2. Enhance Productivity and Performance: When employees feel valued through recognition, they understand that they are a great fit for their role and the organisation. This motivates them to maintain or exceed their current level of performance, contributing to greater productivity and helping the company achieve its goals.

3. Improve Employee Retention: Employees who feel appreciated are more likely to stay with your organisation. High employee retention reduces turnover-related costs, maintains productivity, and fosters team stability. Praising employees and showing gratitude for their contributions can prevent them from seeking opportunities with competing companies.

4. Encourage a Culture of Growth: Knowing that recognition is part of your workplace culture inspires employees to strive for excellence, improve their skills, and stay up-to-date with industry trends. This focus on continuous self-improvement is essential for transitioning into leadership or supervisory positions.

5. Provide a Sense of Purpose: Recognition helps employees understand their role in the organisation and see how their work contributes to the company’s success. Feeling that their efforts make a difference motivates employees, giving them a greater sense of purpose and driving increased productivity.?

How To Earn Recognition At Work?

1. Communicate with Your Manager??

Maintain regular communication with your manager about your responsibilities and performance. Share updates on your progress, highlighting instances where you exceeded expectations. For example, if you stayed late to meet a deadline, mention it in your updates. This ensures your manager understands the effort and dedication you put into your work.

2. Establish Connections with Fellow Workers

Develop strong relationships with your coworkers to increase recognition for your contributions. Engage in conversations, show interest in their work, and participate in company events. Building rapport with colleagues across departments can make them more aware of your efforts and more likely to acknowledge your achievements.

3. Acknowledge Your Own Efforts??

Don’t shy away from recognising your hard work. Share your contributions during meetings or when discussing projects. For example, if your work played a key role in a project’s success, mention it professionally.?

4. Recognise Others??

Foster a positive environment by recognising the efforts of your coworkers. Compliment their successes or publicly acknowledge their contributions. This not only builds stronger relationships but also sets a precedent for mutual appreciation within the team.

5. Observe and Learn from Your Colleagues?

Pay attention to coworkers who consistently receive recognition. Analyse what sets them apart—whether it's their performance, teamwork, or communication style—and incorporate those behaviours into your own approach. For instance, if a coworker is praised for assisting others, offer help to your team when needed.

6. Show Dedication and Expertise??

Consistently deliver high-quality work and focus on improving your skills. Become an expert in a specific area, making yourself a go-to resource for your team. Volunteering for additional responsibilities and helping colleagues can further establish your value and increase the likelihood of recognition.

7. Be Kind When Recognised?

When someone acknowledges your work, accept the recognition with gratitude and professionalism. A simple, “Thank you, I worked hard on this, and I appreciate the acknowledgement” conveys your appreciation while maintaining a professional tone. Graciousness reinforces your credibility and shows pride in your work.??

How To Give Meaningful Recognition At Work?

Giving recognition at work shouldn't feel forced or vague. Instead, it should be an authentic acknowledgement of your employees' contributions, making them feel genuinely valued.?

In today's workplace, where employees' expectations are higher than ever, creating impactful recognition strategies is essential to attract, engage, and retain talent. If you're unsure where to start, here are some effective ways to elevate recognition in the workplace:

1. Encourage Peer-to-Peer Recognition

Employees often build stronger relationships with their peers than with their managers. Recognition from a colleague feels more genuine and heartfelt compared to managerial praise, which can sometimes seem obligatory. To foster peer recognition:

• Create opportunities for employees to praise each other during meetings, celebrations, or on internal platforms.
• Promote a culture where acknowledging each other's efforts becomes natural and frequent.

2. Leverage Social Media

In the digital age, recognition feels more impactful when it's shared online. Highlighting employees' achievements on your company's social media platforms:

• Provides public acknowledgement and makes employees feel truly in the spotlight, like celebrating team milestones with interactive or celebratory posts.?
• Encourages team achievements through voting or nominating employees for awards, for example, “Employee of the Month.”

Internal recognition platforms can also simulate social media environments where employees can exchange praise, wish each other on birthdays or work anniversaries, and participate in recognition programs.

3. Provide Real-Time and Frequent Recognition??

In today’s fast-paced workplace, delayed recognition can quickly lose its impact. Immediate recognition boosts confidence and shows employees that their contributions are noticed and appreciated when it matters most.

However, real-time recognition should be complemented by consistent, frequent acknowledgment. Recognising the smaller, day-to-day actions that are easy to overlook enhances employees’ sense of worth and drives a stronger connection to the organisation’s success.

4. Offer Time Off as a Recognition Reward

With work-life balance becoming increasingly important, giving employees additional time off is a highly valued form of recognition. For example:

• Reward an employee who completes a major project with an extra day off or a short paid holiday.
• Use time off as a way to acknowledge efforts while promoting employee well-being and reducing burnout.

5. Employ Different Methods of Recognition??

It’s important to tailor recognition to each individual’s preferences. While some employees thrive on public acknowledgement, others may prefer private recognition, such as a one-on-one conversation.?

Recognition doesn’t have to stop at verbal expressions like “good job” or “thank you.” Changing up your methods not only keeps recognition fresh and engaging but also ensures that employees feel genuinely valued. Here are a few ideas:??

• Write a personalised note or letter of appreciation for major accomplishments.??
• Organise a team lunch or event to celebrate success.??
• Offer a small gift or token of appreciation alongside verbal recognition.??

6. Be Specific with Your Recognition

Vague compliments like “Good job” or “You did well” often fail to connect with employees in a meaningful way. Instead, focus on specific actions, behaviours, or tangible outcomes to show that you genuinely see and value their contributions. Recognition that ties individual contributions to the bigger picture is especially powerful.???

For instance:?

• “Your meticulous attention to detail in the client presentation played a key role in securing the deal. Outstanding work!”??
• “Thank you for your hard work in closing the deal with Company X. Your dedication is a tremendous asset to our team.”??
• “Thank you for your hard work in closing the deal with Company X. Thanks to your efforts, we’ll exceed our quarterly quota by 10%! Fantastic work.”??

7. Celebrate Efforts, Not Just Wins

Recognition shouldn’t be reserved only for successful outcomes. Acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and effort employees put into their tasks. This approach shows employees that their contributions are valued, even if the results don’t always lead to immediate success.

Conclusion

Meaningful recognition is more than just a workplace formality—it’s a powerful tool for fostering employee engagement, motivation, and organisational success. By making recognition specific, personalised, and aligned with the real-time contributions of employees, companies can build a culture where appreciation becomes a natural and valued part of daily operations. When employees see their contributions making a real difference, they’re more motivated, engaged, and committed to their roles.??

Recommended Readings on Recognition:

Singapore's Employment Act guide for employers

How to design an effective performance appraisal system

Remuneration package guide for employers in Singapore

Long Service Award (LSA) guide for employers in Singapore

Best employee benefits ideas in Singapore

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