Beyond the Paycheck: 20 Unique Ways to Express Employee Appreciation

Have you ever walked into an office and felt an immediate sense of enthusiasm and commitment from employees? The heartbeat of every thriving organization is its people. And the pulse that keeps this heartbeat strong and steady? It's the artful and strategic expression of appreciation. However, according to Gallup's State of the Global Workplace report, 85% of employees worldwide are not engaged at work. This means that a growing number of workers are quietly quitting their jobs, which is reshaping the relationship between employers and employees. Ultimately, it is imperative for employers to understand the effects of "quiet quitting" and the value of showing appreciation to their employees. This is essential for business growth and success.

'Quiet Quitting': A Silent Epidemic in the Workplace

If you've noticed a decrease in productivity at your workplace or employees seem to be disengaged and doing only the minimum required, you may be experiencing a phenomenon known as "quiet quitting." Quiet quitting refers to a situation where employees psychologically disengage from their work rather than leaving the job altogether.

The Critical Role of Employee Appreciation: More Than Just a Nice Gesture

In today's business landscape, organizations need to rethink their approach to employee appreciation. It's no longer just a "nice-to-have" element but a crucial strategic component. In fact, almost half of employees confirmed they’d leave a company that didn’t praise or thank them enough for good work.

Acknowledging and valuing employees requires more than just occasionally saying "thank you." It means cultivating an environment where every team member feels genuinely respected and valued for their contributions. Employee appreciation entails recognizing the hard work and accomplishments of staff members, which can take various forms, from verbal acknowledgment to tangible rewards. Ultimately, it's about creating a workplace where employees feel appreciated and respected for their contributions.

The Multi-Faceted Benefits of Prioritizing Employee Appreciation

1. Boosting Morale and Productivity: When employees feel valued and appreciated, their morale tends to soar, resulting in improved productivity and work quality. They become more dedicated to their roles and aligned with the company's goals, leading to better outcomes for the business. A study by Globoforce revealed that employees who receive regular, small rewards in the form of money, points, or thanks are eight times more engaged than those who only receive yearly bonuses. Glassdoor reports that 69% of employees would work harder if they felt their efforts were better appreciated. According to Gallup, increased employee engagement leads to higher profitability and a more resilient business.

2. Enhancing Retention and Recruitment: Creating a culture of appreciation is a powerful tool for retaining top talent. In today's world, where job mobility is high, employees are more likely to stick with organizations that recognize and value their contributions. Such a culture not only helps retain existing employees but also makes the company more attractive to potential recruits. Over 91% of HR professionals believe that recognition and reward make employees more likely to stay.

3. Fostering a Positive Workplace Culture: Building a positive and inclusive workplace culture requires appreciating employees. It fosters a sense of community and belonging, encouraging open communication and collaboration.

Aligning Appreciation with Employee Goals and Core Values

When expressing gratitude towards an employee, it is essential to tailor it to their specific objectives and core values since there is no universal method to appreciate all employees. This will guarantee that the appreciation is not only well-received but also significant to them. For example, an employee who values career progression would appreciate opportunities for professional growth, while someone who prioritizes work-life balance would be grateful for flexible working hours.

This alignment demonstrates a deep understanding and respect for the individual, enhancing the authenticity of the appreciation. It shows employees that their unique contributions and personal aspirations are recognized and supported, leading to a more engaged and committed workforce.

As part of my work with organizations, I facilitate a core values exercise with teams to help team members and their leaders understand what each person values. This is important to ensure that everyone, regardless of rank, shows appreciation for each individual and builds a collaborative workplace culture.

The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace

Adopting the concept of the Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman, Dr. Paul White, and Dr. Gary Chapman applied these principles to the workplace in their book, "The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace." Understanding these languages can significantly enhance how appreciation is expressed and received:

1. Words of Affirmation: Verbal acknowledgment of a person's work and effort, such as praise, verbal encouragement, or even a written note of thanks.

2. Quality Time: Giving undivided attention to employees, like having one-on-one meetings, listening to their concerns, or simply spending time with them.

3. Acts of Service: Helping out in a tangible way that shows you care about their workload and well-being, such as assisting with a challenging task or stepping in when they are overwhelmed.

4. Tangible Gifts: Giving physical tokens of appreciation like bonuses, gift cards, or personalized gifts that show thoughtfulness and recognition of their hard work.

5. Physical Touch: In a workplace setting, this translates to appropriate physical gestures like handshakes, pats on the back, or a high-five to celebrate achievements.

Employee Appreciation Day

Mark your calendars! Employee Appreciation Day is just around the corner. National Employee Appreciation Day is celebrated on the first Friday of March every year and provides an opportunity to recognize employee achievements and contributions in all industries. In 2024, Employee Appreciation Day falls on Friday, March 1st.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to show your team how much you appreciate their hard work and dedication.

Employee appreciation is a crucial factor that plays a significant role in creating a productive and thriving workplace. To achieve this, organizations need to integrate employee appreciation with their personal goals and values while utilizing various methods that incorporate the five languages of appreciation. This approach helps in creating a culture that not only values employees but also understands them. As a result, it leads to increased satisfaction, higher retention rates, and a positive impact on the company's overall success.

Meet the Author, Danielle Cobo:

Danielle Cobo is an international female speaker for organizations, associations, and the public sector. She works with audiences to ignite transformation to lead with grit and resilience.

With over 15 years of corporate experience in the medical tech and bio-pharmaceutical industry, she knows how to build high-performing teams that increase sales, productivity, and employee retention. Her expertise includes corporate resilience and heart-centered leadership.

Danielle is the best-selling author of Unstoppable Grit: Break Through the 7 Roadblocks Standing Between You and Achieving Your Goals and hosts the globally top-rated podcast, Unstoppable Grit Podcast with Danielle Cobo.

As a former Fortune 500 Senior Sales Manager, she propelled her team to the number one national ranking, even amid the upheaval of downsizing, restructuring, and acquisitions. Her commendable leadership earned her the prestigious title of Region Manager of the Year. Her resiliency motivated her to earn four consecutive national Sales Excellence Awards in a male-dominated industry.

When her husband, a Blackhawk pilot in the Army, was deployed in Iraq for a year, Danielle learned to balance a demanding job while keeping up with her dynamic duo of 1.5-year-old twin boys, who possess more energy than a squirrel after a triple espresso.

Today, she channels her expertise into her passionate mission: igniting transformation in others and helping them develop the grit and resilience to succeed professionally and personally.

Her tenacious attitude stems from being raised by an ambitious mother and recovering from being taken from her father and cast out at 17 years of age.

From a 7-year-old entrepreneur to a two-time 3-day 60-mile walker—she defines relentless ambition.

A sought-after speaker, Danielle's captivating storytelling and content-rich and motivational style empower audiences to cultivate unwavering resilience, igniting a transformation for thriving in today’s demanding work environment.

Danielle has a bachelor’s in communication with a minor in psychology from the California State University of Fullerton, Certification in Inclusive and Ethical Leadership from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business, and accreditation in DiSC Human Behavior from Personality Insights. Inc., and Leadership from Boston Breakthrough Academy.