It is a common theory that a company is only as successful as the grit of its work culture. So, a strong and committed workforce can make or break a business.
In this article, we’ll explore the chief components of employee recognition and how they play into workforce commitment. We’ll also unpack what it takes to cultivate genuine engagement and connection in the workplace.
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The Concept of Employee Recognition
Recognition – in any shape, form, or industry – refers to the act of acknowledging individual or collective contributions within an organization. It may sound like a simple thing to do, but the fact is, many companies still struggle to find the right recognition strategy for their workforce.
Some analysts even define recognition as a corporate art form. This illustrates the immense value that recognition has on company culture.
It is a powerful tool used to shape an environment where employees feel like they are the drivers of success.
Why Recognition is the Lifeblood of the Workplace
In a partnered study by Gallup and Workhuman, findings showed that employees whose work is recognized are 20 times as likely to be engaged.
Yet, according to this same study, many employers tend to overlook recognition as a key strategy for building a strong workplace culture. More specifically, only 34% of employees reported that their company had a recognition program.
Recognition Energizes Engagement…
One of the reasons that recognition is key to creating a positive workplace is that it helps boost engagement among employees. Engagement is a two-way street in the same sense that recognition is.
To be recognized, employees need to perform at their best – and employers have to make sure that performance is recognized. Once it is, the act of recognition has a direct positive impact – fueling further engagement!
Read more about how to incentivize your team through creativity and innovation in this article.
…and Engagement Strengthens Workforce Commitment!
Engagement and commitment are often used interchangeably, but it’s important to understand the difference between the two. Engagement refers to the level of involvement and enthusiasm (even emotional connection) that employees have toward work.
Commitment, on the other hand, refers to a sense of dedication and loyalty toward company goals.
While engagement focuses more on the emotional aspects of employee involvement, commitment has a strong ethical factor that emphasizes a sense of duty and responsibility. Employees have to be committed to complete tasks effectively, so engagement alone might not be enough.
However, if no engagement is involved, the feeling of commitment won’t last very long.
The Pros of Recognition
There’s a unique synergy between engagement and commitment, and what glues them together is recognition. Showing your employees appreciation from the start is a great way to reinforce company values and keep performance high.
Below are some essential pros of having an excellent employee recognition program.
1. A Morale and Motivation Booster
By acknowledging your team’s hard work, you’re actively building positive workplace momentum. When employees feel valued and recognized, motivation and job satisfaction skyrocket. A general positive attitude spreads, having a ripple effect throughout the entire organization.
According to Gallup, it’s not uncommon for workers to feel their work is routinely ignored, underappreciated, or not getting the periodic recognition it deserves. Something as little as a thank-you note or a gift card can often be enough to recalibrate the team.
The key is to be consistent.
2. Heightened Employee Engagement
Recognition is a powerful catalyst for engagement – keeping employees interested and committed to their work. A strong level of engagement will lead to accelerated productivity and a genuine desire to go the extra mile for the company.
This is the sweet spot of any company-workforce relationship. Where workers find joy and satisfaction in their roles, companies find success from increased performance and excellence.
3. A Strong and Inclusive Work Culture
A workplace with a culture of appreciation is one where teamwork, collaboration, and peer to peer support are driving forces. It’s not necessarily focused on hierarchical recognition from employer to employee or team manager to team member, but encourages peer-to-peer recognition.
This creates an atmosphere where everyone, regardless of their roles, will feel valued.
4. A Breeding Ground for Innovation
Employees who are recognized for their creativity and innovation often feel empowered to take risks, share ideas, and continue to improve. This mindset is extremely contagious, fostering collective innovation fueled by recognition!
5. Decreased Turnover, Elevated Retention Rates
Retention is a natural byproduct of a successful recognition strategy.
It’s simple, really. When recognition contributes positively to company culture, workers are more inclined to stay. In fact, recent data shows that large companies can save over $16M annually in employee turnover costs when they make recognition a key part of their culture!
How to Improve Commitment at Work
We’ve established that the road to commitment goes through recognition, but how do you go about doing recognition right?
Recognition is not a one-size-fits-all project. In fact, it’s more of a tailored approach that needs to fit your company’s unique ecosystem and the employees who work there.
That said, there are some key factors that can help you steer the ship in the right direction. These include consistent acknowledgment of high-achievers, a mix of monetary and non-monetary rewards, and ensuring that the recognition is fair and on point. More importantly, it needs to align with the mission and values of the organization.
1. Timely Recognition
Timely (and specific) recognition highlights progress. When dealing with bigger tasks or long-term projects, small celebrations give employees a targeted morale boost that often leads to increased engagement and efficiency.
2. Peer-to-Peer Recognition
Peer to peer recognition fosters a culture of camaraderie where team members celebrate each other’s contributions and hard work. It helps mitigate feelings of individualism and creates a collective sense of success.
You can learn more about peer-to-peer recognition here!
3. Specific and Customized Recognition
Not everyone feels comfortable being celebrated in public. Always customize your recognition efforts to individual preferences. While some thrive in the public eye, others might prefer a more personalized reward. By respecting each employee’s comfort level, you ensure the recognition is well-received.
4. Trust and Transparency
Recognition should always be based on clear and objective criteria. Involving the workforce in the development of specific recognition standards is a good idea. This can help establish a sense of ownership, enhancing the effectiveness of the program.
Learn loads more about the distinct impact of employee recognition and appreciation in the workplace.
Creating a Workplace Culture of Authentic Commitment
The level of workforce commitment is directly linked to the health of the workplace. Changing the current workplace culture is no easy feat – but a good place to start is by establishing some basic recognition strategies.
That way, you stand a much better chance of getting the wheels turning faster.
Apart from its human and cultural advantages, recognition also plays an important role in boosting productivity and profitability. Employees who receive authentic recognition are more likely to remain loyal through good times and bad.
Good luck on your journey to building a strong and committed workforce!
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