THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAISE & RECOGNITION

We all need a “Pat on the back” from time to time.  This may be someone saying ‘Thanks’ or, ‘I’m glad you’re here’ or ‘You did a really great job’.  Recognition and appreciation are a wonderful boost to our self-esteem.

It has been shown that people have an inherent need to be recognised, and that recognition is a stronger motivator than money.

Take the workforce for instance.  One recognition survey found that 90% of employees stated  “Receiving recognition motivates me to improve my job performance”.  Yet only 47% of those surveyed said “My manager provides ample and effective recognition”

Recognition means honouring, encouraging and supporting individuals and teams who contribute through their behaviour and their actions to the success of the organisation.

People often look for things to criticise rather than compliment.  Scientists have confirmed that we are hard-wired to notice bad things (It’s called the Negativity Bias)

It seems the majority of us don’t give or receive anywhere near the amount of praise that we should.  As a result, we’re much less productive, and in many cases, disengaged from our jobs.  The bottom line is that praise and recognition of employees is good for business.  Individuals who receive regular praise and recognition are more productive, are more likely to be loyal to an organisation longer, have better safety records and fewer accidents on the job and regularly receive higher scores from customers.

Just think how you feel when you receive a genuine compliment – you may experience a genuine glow, you may break into a smile.  A sincere word of thanks from the right person at the right time can mean more to an employee than a raise, a formal award or a wall full of certificates.

So …  recognition and praise is something that you can do, and should do, every day, not just on special occasions.  It doesn’t have to cost money or take a lot of time.  A simple ‘Thank you’ is often all that is required.