1. SHOW GRATITUDE (Say Thank you!)

People want to feel appreciated for what they do, especially by their managers. That’s because leaders have a broader view of organizational goals and evaluate employee performance, so their praise feels particularly relevant and lets employees know they’re on the right track. Here are some guidelines for expressing gratitude at work:

• Clearly state what your team member did well, how it relates to her unique strengths, and how it helps the organization. (In general, make it more about her amazing qualities and less about how it helped you–i.e., “Your quick and creative thinking helped the event go off without a hitch,” is way better than, “You saved the day–thanks!”)

• You should say it more often than you think; so long as you’re always speaking authentically and specifically.

My favorite way to show gratitude is a handwritten note. In addition to the written message, the note itself shows an investment of your time. It brings me a lot of joy to see the note on an employee’s bulletin board later, because I’ll know that it was meaningful to her. 

Express your gratitude on social media.

“We recognize our employees on their birthdays and service anniversaries on our social channels. Each post will include a photo and something that highlights that employee’s contribution to the organization or an interesting fact that their co-workers and others may not know about them.” – Michelle Cardin, account director at Epsilon and former marketing director of Shawmut Communications Group

2. PROVIDE LEARNING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The best bosses look for ways to augment their team members’ growth with external professional development opportunities, such as attending industry conferences, joining a professional association, or gaining a certification. As a manager, you may have limited resources, so focusing these resources on employees who exceed expectations shows an investment in their potential.

3. Feed them.

This is one of many companies favourite ways. It is fun and easy to do. People just like to congregate together & enjoy food together! Big tech corporations recognise this and go about ensuring they have the coolest & endless supplies of food & beverages at their break-rooms. A comfortable breakroom provide that additional communication that the company appreciates their hard work. Read here for 7 ways how breakroom can increase workplace productivity.

“Bring in doughnuts or have a pizza party at lunch on the company dime. People … like to be fed. This type of reward will not only bring your office together [and] … strengthen their interpersonal relationships, but it will also give them all the feeling of being appreciated.” – Tyler Butler, founder and CEO of 11Eleven Consulting

4. Be flexible

We tend to forget just how much time 40 hours a week is. Aside from sleep, your employees are spending the largest chunk of their time helping to improve your business, so every once in a while give them some extra time to themselves. Whether it’s an early finish before a weekend or a holiday, or a mental health day if they seem to be struggling, your staff will greatly appreciate a chance to rest and recuperate. It could even make them more energised and productive workers when they return.

5. Celebrate in Big & Little Ways

Do you know the expression that the little things are the big things? It’s true at work, too. Recognize your team members’ work anniversaries or birthdays. Host a cake or pizza party for the whole team when a sale closes, break out ice cream mid-afternoon for a surprise treat to bring everyone together, or organize a monthly coffee break with no work agenda.

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