Appreciatology

March 13, 2020 The Editorial Board - Teamware Solutions

 A person who feels appreciated will always do more than is expected. This holds true many times if not always! But research shows that only 61% of employees feel appreciated in the workplace. What are the implications of Appreciation in the overall company culture? Industry research shows that 53% of employees feel they would stay at their jobs longer if their employers simply showed them more appreciation. *Stats – O.C. Tanner 2018 Global Culture Report But how do we build this culture of Appreciatology? 1. Top Down Driven – If it’s not considered important enough by the top management, little time and effort will be put into getting it right and it will simply become an afterthought. So it is important to imbibe the culture of Appreciation and can’t be seen just as “another HR thing” 2. Make it a Habit – Recognising someone’s efforts and results must be deliberate and done often. We need to allocate time to appreciate someone for work done and “Thank You “must be deliberate and thought through 3. Timely Recognition – Leaving recognition to Annual Appraisals might cut off the enthusiasm and foster resentment. Recognition given in a timely manner ensures that the reason for showing appreciation are still fresh in everyone’s minds otherwise the experience will be diluted and the recipient of the appreciation will feel that they aren’t a priority. 4. Personalize Recognition – Tailor the recognition moment according to individuals’ preferences. If the employee likes a big ‘celebration’ then give recognition in front of managers and peers to make the moment more special. This show of appreciation also means that co-workers are clear what ‘great work’ looks like and what they, too, need to do to be recognised. But if the team member would be uncomfortable with such a public ‘show’, provide appreciation in a quieter, more private way. The key is to make it an enjoyable rather than an uncomfortable experience. 5. Recognize Key Moments – Do not forget to celebrate key moments in employees’ lives and careers like Work / Wedding Anniversary, Birthdays etc. By remembering and celebrating important landmarks it helps foster closer ties between employee and the team/company. The impact of giving appreciation effectively cannot be undervalued and can deliver powerful results. After all, everyone wants to feel valued and recognised for the efforts they put in and the results they deliver. Doing appreciation right will prove to improve engagement, increase loyalty and foster innovation in today’s competitive world. It’s time to check your Appreciatology Index at your organization level or team level and create i. A culture of Awareness in terms understanding a. The Positive effects of Appreciation and b. Best practices of Appreciation ii. Bolster the Desire to Appreciate.