The Importance of Appreciation in the Workplace (and beyond)

A US Department of Labor research study concluded that the number one reason people leave their jobs is that they don’t feel appreciated.  When employees don’t feel valued for who they are or what they bring to the workplace, they disengage and often leave.  Disengaged employees have a negative impact on the work environment.  Turnover is disruptive and costly to companies, and it’s also disruptive to all the individuals involved – to those who leave and to those who stay behind.  The statistic is disheartening – but the condition is easily preventable.

We all want to be valued.  We all want to be heard.  And we all want to belong.  When those three elements are lacking, it becomes easier to doubt ourselves, to feel uncomfortable, and to withdraw.  When we don’t believe that others care, it’s too easy to become discouraged and resentful and to disengage.

In contrast, when we feel that those around us care about us and value our contributions and characteristics, we engage more fully.  When we receive validation and sincere appreciation, we are energized to do our best work.  That kind of environment encourages us to be productive and to feel connected to our work and to those around us.  When we feel valued, we typically enjoy the people around us and develop positive thoughts and feelings about the place where we work.  We are more likely to make stronger contributions when we feel valued for what we’re already bringing to the table.

Somehow it’s easier for most of us to comment on what’s not working than what is, but it doesn’t have to be that way.  In his book Bringing Out the Best in People, Aubrey Daniels concludes that “recognition and appreciation are the most powerful motivators of improved performance”.  Numerous studies have shown that work places that have an established culture of appreciation are three times more productive and profitable when compared to those that don’t.  Appreciation pays big dividends.

How can we make sure those around us feel that they are valued and heard, and that they belong?  Below are some tips and ideas to consider:

1. Pay Attention

Take note of those around you who brighten your day, contribute to your success, or make your job easier.  Observe and share your observations out loud.

2. Take interest

Get to know your co-workers or employees.  It doesn’t take much time to share a warm smile or to take an interest in another person, but those actions communicate that I care about you and am interested in who you are.  Taking interest helps people feel they belong. How you treat others is a form of appreciation.  When you treat people with respect and show interest in them, they tend to feel valued.

3. Listen

Take the time to listen to others’ viewpoints, ideas, and suggestions.  When you take the time to listen and gain understanding, you help others feel that they are heard and that what they say is important.

4. Ask questions

When people ask our opinions, they are communicating that they value what we have to say and how we think.  You can make asking questions an even stronger signal by communicating “I value your opinion; would you share with me what you think about this?”  When we are asked for our opinions, we recognize that we are valued members of the team.

5. Recognize those who do good work and make contributions.  We can’t read minds.  We make assumptions and interpret behavior, but we don’t necessarily know what someone else is thinking unless they tell us.  The absence of acknowledgment or interest has an impact on us just as positive and negative messages do.

To assure that your appreciations will be meaningful to those you communicate with be sure you:

         a.  Are Sincere

Make sure you don’t have an ulterior motive.  When you appreciate, avoid attaching a request for  something else with it.  Be authentic and genuine and believe in what you are sharing

  b.  Are Specific

Be clear and specific about the behavior, actions, characteristics, and/or qualities that you are acknowledging.

  c.  Share the impact

Let the person you’re appreciating know the impact their behavior has on you and/or the organization.

  d.  Appreciate people one at a time

It means so much more when we are appreciated individually.  A group of people may have worked together on a project but each individual contributed something.  Letting them know that you recognize their specific contribution helps people know that you see them as individuals.

6. Consider that individuals vary in the way they like to be appreciated. Each of us is unique.  Some of us like public recognition; others prefer private acknowledgment.  Giving an acknowledgement to a more introverted person in a large room of people may actually detract from your overall message.

Dr. Paul White’s book, The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, identifies the five primary ways most of us like to be appreciated.  Often our appreciations miss when we don’t offer them in the manner that the recipient prefers.  Some people enjoy receiving words of appreciation.  Others feel appreciated when you choose to spend quality time together; some feel cared for when offered help and support.  Still others feel special when they receive gifts or a high five.  It’s important to know how the person you’re appreciating likes to be acknowledged or your message may not be received as you’d like it to be.

7. Follow through

When we follow through on the commitments and promises we make, we are saying, “You are a priority to me.  You matter.”  Following through builds trust.

When people share sincere expressions of appreciation with us, we feel validated.  We feel seen.  We feel that we matter.  We gain confidence when others re-enforce for us what they see and how they value our contributions.  Your appreciation may also change the way others view themselves, may show them a quality they didn’t realize they had, or help them realize the impact they’ve had.

Research has shown that people who appreciate others and those who receive appreciation are both happier.  When we give to other people, we feel happy.  Make sure those people who work with you are appreciated.  They will feel great, enjoy working with you, and do their best work.  You, your co-workers, and the company all win.

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