Your employees and those that are part of your organization are critical to your success. While the occasional “thank you” is good, it is often not enough. Appreciation leadership is a concept that has been developed as a new way of viewing leadership that makes employees feel valued and empowered. After all, they are your business and organization’s biggest assets.
Why Is Appreciation Leadership Encouraged?
It is part of human nature to want to be appreciated. From early childhood, the concept of reward was born out of the idea that when someone does something good, they are rewarded for that behavior. This mindset is something that many people carry on through their adult and professional lives.
Showing your appreciation is vital in the workplace so that your employees can feel motivated. And if they are motivated, they tend to become more productive.
10 Benefits of Appreciation Leadership
Why should you put emphasis on appreciation leadership, and how you can benefit from it? Check out this list to learn the importance of expressing your appreciation in the workplace.
1. It changes your mindset. It enables you to focus on the good that others have done to help your organization succeed. In doing so, you are able to make the most of their skills and capitalize on their abilities to help your organization grow.
2. It improves productivity. In relation to the above, employees who feel recognized and appreciated in their work are highly motivated. It motivates them to maintain their performance at work or strive to improve on it.
3. It keeps employees engaged. Showing appreciation to your employees makes them more dedicated. They are highly engaged because they seek out ways to improve themselves, as well as the organization they are a part of.
4. It boosts workplace morale. When there is a sense of gratitude within your workplace, everyone feels good because it creates a ripple effect. Your employees are likely to show appreciation towards each other too.
5. You improve the daily mood of employees. The daily outlook of your employees changes the moment you show them appreciation. They look forward to going to work daily and have an overall positive vibe about the workplace.
6. You nurture trust. Expert neuroscientists agree that recognition builds trust, especially when it is given immediately after a goal is met.
7. You improve employee retention. If your employees are happy, recognized and feel valued, they will want to stay with your company. This means you retain your most valuable assets and achieve long-term growth.
8. You create an impact on your employees’ lives. They are a crucial part of your organization, but they are also humans. The more you can connect with them on a personal level, the better able you will be to work together as a team.
9. You inspire greatness in others. Showing gratitude creates a chain of events that starts with a feeling of being inspired and recognized. This will motivate your employees to go above and beyond what they can deliver. They no longer settle, but strive for greatness in everything they do.
10. You become a more effective leader. By showing your appreciation, you are setting an example for the rest of your employees and creating a wonderful working environment for them.
How to Exhibit Appreciation to Employees
Showing your appreciation towards someone, especially your employees, does not involve a grand act. You don’t even have to spend a great deal of money for it.
You can use a corporate gamification system to instantly reward employees for any milestones or achievements that they complete in relation to their tasks. Another classic strategy is to treat them to a team dinner or enjoy a meal together outside the office.
You can also use a digital approach of recognizing employees such as sharing about them on social media. Make a post highlighting the contributions made by that employee. Or, in some cases, giving your employees extra time off, such as during the holiday season, will make them feel appreciated.
To show them your appreciation on a daily basis, you can write them a daily email or stop by their desk to ask them what’s going on. Simple gestures like that can go a long way in making employees feel appreciated.
Appreciation leadership has transformed how leaders make the most of their employees. This dynamic works just like any relationship – you need to show daily appreciation in order to nurture your working relationship and succeed as a team.
