3 Key Practices for Authentic Appreciation in Leadership
Building a Culture of Authentic Appreciation
Showing appreciation in our daily interactions fosters and builds relationships. People appreciate being appreciated. However, a well-meaning quick thank you in passing can have the opposite effect. Here’s how leaders can cultivate a genuine culture of recognition:
1. Identify and Thank the Right People 👥
It doesn’t take a lot of time and effort to validate who was involved in a kind gesture or a successful project—even if you think you know. Write down the names of the people and their roles—large or small. It can be disengaging when we thank the wrong people or leave out key people, especially in a public forum. Make sure to recognize the contributions of those who have truly earned it.
2. Share the Praise 🏆
If you are a leader, it does not take away from your accomplishments to include those who had an integral role in achieving success—even beyond your team. Lead by example in showing appreciation to your peers, other teams, and leadership. Sharing praise can build a culture of collaboration and mutual respect.
3. Be Specific and Get Your Facts Right 📋
Generic thanks can feel insincere. Take the time to mention specific actions or achievements. If you want to express thanks in writing, make sure you get important details correct, such as the spelling of the names of the people involved. Personalizing your appreciation shows that you are aware of and value individuals and their contributions.
Conclusion
By fostering a culture of authentic appreciation and genuine recognition, leaders can motivate their teams, leading to a more engaged, positive, and productive environment while helping people feel valued and motivated to continue putting in their best efforts.
Stay Tuned
This article is part of a series on leadership and team engagement. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies on how to create a thriving workplace culture. Follow me on LinkedIn to catch the next installment!
Connect with me for more insights on #Leadership and #EmployeeEngagement. Follow these topics: #WorkplaceCulture, #HR, #Recognition, #TeamBuilding, #Management, #LeadershipDevelopment, #InternalCommunications, #EmployeeAppreciation, #EmployeeRecognition, #ThoughtLeadership.
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5moAwesome post!😍
(WHAT I DO): I make conferences and meetings positively memorable through an artistic, energizing, and inspirational experience. | Your organizational success starts with culture care, wellness and yeah…a little fun!
5moThis is good. Very good. Welearn this as children, yet we allow it to fade away. The sad part is we are grown a$& adults and the fact that we have to write about it, speak about it, build a business about it - well, it speaks for itself. It’s easy. It’s simple. It’s common sense. Yet, we don’t always think easy, simple and with common sense- lol. The greatest discovery in all of my work is the recognition of leaders who recognize others. Those who say “Thank you” often are hunters looking for reasons to express gratitude - they want to express it and they are always looking out for ways and reasons to express it. It’s always on the radar. It’s actually one of the most impressive qualities I have witnessed in a great leader. Some people have no idea how great they are until they hear two powerful words that can be life changing changing and even achieve a level of engagement that nothing else can - Thank You. 😊 Good post!!