I See You

When it comes to employee recognition, many of us think of perks, praise or gifts. However, the most meaningful way of making your employees feel valued is likely a little more nuanced and possibly less expensive.

Maika Leibbrandt, management consultant and executive coach with Gallup, reveals that “our deep human need for recognition comes from the very root of the word “recognize.” I see you. I see something about you. I see value, and I care enough about your future potential to reveal that value to you.” True recognition is telling others what you see as great about them, how they uniquely contribute and why it matters. It’s acknowledging and reminding your employees of the talent they bring, the impact they make and their importance on the team.

Sometimes this topic can feel cold and strategic, such as, if I give my employee x I will get x out of them in return. However, when you genuinely value them and trust their skills, talent and opinions, the return will be more impactful and less forced. Giving your employees the autonomy to do their jobs in the way that works best for them and allowing them to take ownership for their role will enable them to perform at their best and feel the most fulfilled.

There’s a saying by Maya Angelou that expresses, “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Do most people enjoy the perks and gifts? Most likely. However, it is often the note written in the card that goes with it that makes the biggest difference. Recognition should be personalized and meaningful to the individual. Do they prefer to be complemented in public or discretely? Do they value time off or a fun activity with the staff?

Again, Leibbrandt puts a spin on this idea saying, “recognition matters, but it’s not about what we are getting. The value in conscious recognition is it teaches us what we are giving.” Employees don’t always see the value they bring and contribution they make. Especially if they’re working from a place of strength and are enjoying what they do, they might not recognize their own “quantifiable” input or output.

Find ways to tell your employees or coworkers what you see as special, impactful and helpful about who they are and what they do. Recognition matters, but how it’s done and the authenticity of it matters more.