Conversations Worth Having on Employee Appreciation Day and Beyond!
Feb 29, 2024
Fostering Productivity and Engagement: Embracing the Power of Employee Appreciation Day
Employee Appreciation Day is March 1st. It’s a great opportunity to reach out to your employees (and why not colleagues, and even your boss) to let them know how valued they are. Make it an on-going practice!
HR World did a study on “mattering” around the world that demonstrates if you appreciate your employees, it impacts productivity, engagement, and well-being. The study shows that appreciation promotes a culture of valued recognition and respect. Here is how to get started …
Appreciation is Shown by Your Words, Actions, and Questions
You can start by engaging in conversations worth having that genuinely appreciate the contributions of and value your employees. Appreciating others can show up by your words, actions, and questions:
Words
Praise: A sincere "thank you" or complimenting someone on a job well done can be very impactful.
Write a Note or Letter: Taking the time to write a personalized thank-you note or letter can leave a lasting impression. This expression of appreciation can be especially meaningful in an era dominated by digital communication.
Public Appreciation: Acknowledging someone's contributions, whether in a meeting, on a team call, or through social media or newsletter shoutouts, can significantly boost their morale and sense of accomplishment.
Actions
Gifts of Appreciation: Small gifts, gift cards, or other tokens of appreciation tailored to the person's interests or needs can show thoughtfulness and recognition of their hard work.
Appreciative Acts of Service: Offering help or taking on another’s task to lighten someone's load can be a powerful way to show appreciation, demonstrating that you value their time and well-being.
Tune In: Giving someone your full attention and actively listening when they speak shows that you value their thoughts.
Questions: Ask …
- What achievements are you most proud of? How do you think we might celebrate these?
- How has your contribution made a difference to our team or project?
- What strengths have you noticed in yourself and colleagues that you appreciate?
- What support can I provide to help you achieve your goals?
- How do you prefer to be recognized or rewarded for your efforts?
This last question recognizes that appreciation is received in different ways that are meaningful and impactful to the person. These questions are generative because they show that you value what this person is thinking and needing. These questions are designed to foster appreciative conversations leading to deeper understanding and positive outcomes.
Let Employee Appreciation Day be a start to appreciate others on a regular basis. Beyond a day, you can show appreciation by your words, actions, and questions to engage in a deeper, more meaningful dialogue, fostering a culture of recognition, growth, and mutual respect.
The Ripple Effects of Appreciation
To appreciate others most genuinely be specific, sincere, and inclusive:
- Specific: Highlight particular actions or qualities you appreciate. This shows that you're paying attention to and value their unique contributions.
- Sincere: Ensure your expressions of appreciation are authentic and heartfelt.
- Inclusive: Make an effort to recognize and value the diverse contributions of all team members.
Appreciative conversations can create a healthy culture of recognition and positivity that resonates far beyond a single day. May the ripple effects of appreciation go beyond the workplace to your family, friends, and community!
To learn more about appreciative conversations worth having, visit, www.cwh.today. Download your free Conversation toolkit. Use coupon code: APPRECIATE for 15% discount on our April Conversation Bootcamps through March 26, 2024.
These appreciative insights and ideas are shared by Jackie Stavros, DM, Co-Author of Conversations Worth Having and Founding Partner in CWH Institute. For more insights, inspirations, and how-to's, subscribe to our list below. ⬇️
