People thrive on positive reinforcement — nothing feels better than receiving a compliment for a job well done.
What about those little day-to-day tasks that keep things flowing smoothly, though? Those are often forgotten in the shuffle, but the reality is, these deserve acknowledgement just as much as the big accomplishments.
What does this have to do with anything? Well…
Tell them and mean it
Your job for the rest of 2020 is to get into the habit of showing appreciation (authentically) to your co-workers. This will require you to actively seek out things that they are doing well. If your assistant does a stellar job, tell them so! Did your boss nail that difficult negotiation? Let them know it was awesome!
Do you (still) work remotely or have perhaps the toughest job of all — stay-at-home parent?
No problem! Show gratitude to those folks who typically don’t get a lot of praise from receptionist to the helpful sales clerk that went the extra mile. These verbal reinforcements not only give them a little boost they may have needed, but you will actively be showing your gratitude for a job well done, whatever that may be.
Make it a habit
When you get in the habit of acknowledging these positive acts, you, yourself, will find that you feel better about your life and how full it is, rather than focusing on the things you don’t have. There’s something to be said for the power of positive thoughts and actions.
Try to show your gratitude toward your co-workers at least two or three times a week. After a week, you’ll find you’re doing it more and more without even thinking about it.
That’s the power of gratitude. It’s self-perpetuating. It’s an acquired taste but one that they will get used too.
On a side note, Be spontaneous and have a little fun
Everyone wants to have fun at work—even though everyone defines “fun” a little differently. Fun happens when people feel well-connected with a team where there’s mutual respect, open communication, acceptance of who people are and everyone’s collaborating and working toward the same goal. When teams are working well together, it makes it easier to be spontaneous and have some fun – whether it’s a last-minute virtual Zoom happy hour after a project launch, or a brief pause in the afternoon to tell stories and have a few laughs over topics that have nothing to do about work.
Sometimes we all need a break from the seriousness of business.
Some Ways to Show Employees How Much You Really Care
Boss for the day
Let an employee be “Boss for the Day” and proclaim a jeans day or in many cases (a pajama day), or make a speech at a virtual team meeting.
Virtual Lunch with the Boss
Take your employees out to lunch and let them choose the location. Do your best to keep work related discussions to a minimum. Take this time to get to know more about what your employee’s interests and hobbies are beyond their work lives.
Impromptu time off
Spontaneous late arrival or early departure days are always a motivator. For example, send a quick email that says, “It’s a beautiful afternoon. Go enjoy it.”
Time off coupons
Give out coupons for 15 minutes of time off as a spot award. Employees can collect them to add up to leaving an hour early one day or coming in late one day.
No Meeting Fridays
Remember significant events in your employees’ personal lives, such as a child starting kindergarten, and give them allocated time off so they can participate without worrying about being in a dreaded Friday afternoon meeting.
Thank you notes are not dead.
An actual piece of paper that tells a staff member that you appreciate them, thanking them for their work, can go a long way in a digital world. Whether it’s as simple as a quick post-it note or an actual card or a certificate, try cracking out the age-old practice of thank you notes.
Start a Mentoring Program
A way to boost employee development. Build one that truly reflects the needs and wants of your employees.
It’s important to reward employees for a job well done. Recognition makes employees feel appreciated. You’re showing someone that their work matters. A little workplace appreciation goes a long way toward boosting employee morale.
Create Space to discuss Diversity & Inclusion Issues
It is vital to approach these topics with respect. Respect for its weightiness and nuance. Respect for centuries of pain and oppression. Respect for multiple perspectives and narratives: those that have been lifted up and those that have been pushed to the background. Respect for the person(s) you are engaging with. Race, racism, and the racial inequity it breeds are topics of discussion that can polarize a space very quickly. Coming from a respectful place that is open and willing to listen and learn goes a long way to diffuse potential dischord before it arises, and preserve space for meaningful dialogue.