Building a Culture of Appreciation in the Workplace

The Importance of Appreciation in Leadership

• Feeling underappreciated can lead to a lack of motivation and commitment in the workplace
• Creating a spirit of community and appreciation is essential for maintaining motivation and commitment

The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership

• The fifth practice is Encourage the Heart, which involves recognizing and celebrating contributions and hard work
• This practice is essential for becoming an exemplary leader, regardless of one's role in the organization

Recognizing Contributions

• Recognizing contributions is essential for motivating individuals to give their all and put their hearts and minds into their work
• Setting clear expectations, goals, and rules provides a clear path to success
• Celebrating the wins of high performers gives everyone something to work towards, but encouraging people along the way is just as important

Personalizing Recognition

• A one-size-fits-all approach to recognition can feel forced and insincere
• Taking time to get to know individuals helps understand what kind of recognition would feel meaningful to them
• Some people prefer public acknowledgement, while others prefer personal notes or increased responsibilities

Celebrating Victories

• Celebrating victories creates a sense of social connection, leading to trust, reciprocity, information flow, collective action, and happiness
• Creating a sense of social connection amongst coworkers leads to better workplace wellbeing, accountability, and commitment to the organization
• Taking time to connect with workplace celebrations, recognition gatherings, or social time can bring joy and connection to the workplace

Becoming an Exemplary Leader

• Learning how to Encourage the Heart takes consistent self-reflection, commitment, and practice
• Utilizing the behaviors outlined in the fifth practice of The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership can help individuals become exemplary leaders and inspire others to improve their own leadership qualities.