Recognition is one of the most powerful tools for building a culture. It’s also one of the most underutilized, which is why I was so excited to see that so many innovative companies are leading the way when it comes to recognizing employees in meaningful ways. Recognition isn’t just about giving employees stickers or trophies—it’s also about recognizing them for hard work and setting them up for success. Here are 4 well- deserved employee recognition examples that disruptive companies use to attract and retain top talent.
Disruptive companies recognize often and in a variety of ways
Recognition is a powerful tool. It can reinforce values, culture, and mission. When used correctly, it helps to keep people engaged and motivated. Recognition can be anything from an email or a personal note to an informal celebration or formal ceremony. The important thing about recognition is that it’s part of your culture; it fits with how you do things around the office every day so that employees don’t feel like they’re being rewarded for something extraordinary, like when someone wins Employee of the Month.
Disruptive companies give recognition at the moment
Giving recognition in the moment is an excellent way for companies to recognize their employees and make them feel valuable and seen. It’s more effective than recognizing people after the fact and can be more memorable, shareable, and motivating for employees. In addition to these benefits, it also serves as an example of how you should behave as an employee at your company.
Recognizing employees in real-time is a great way to show that you care about them. When you have the opportunity to do so, take it. The best way to recognize employees is when they’re doing something amazing. Be specific with your praise and make sure that it’s clear that what they did was above and beyond the scope of their job description.
Disruptive companies recognize small wins
One of the most common mistakes that companies make when it comes to recognition is waiting for a big win. When employees are recognized for their contributions, many companies wait until a project is completed or an employee has reached a significant milestone before offering praise. But small wins should also be recognized and celebrated as they happen—recognition doesn’t have to be reserved for big achievements only.
A simple thank you goes a long way toward boosting performance and employee motivation, especially in high-pressure environments where people are constantly being asked to do more with less time and resources. When you take the time to recognize someone else’s efforts on the job—whether they’re completing tasks or collaborating with their peers—you’re sending them the message that they matter and their work matters too.
Disruptive companies do more than just talk about values—they use them to guide their recognition strategy
Recognition is more than just a nice thing to do—it can be used as a tool to help drive behavioral change. What’s important is that recognition is an important part of the employee experience and can be used to build culture, encourage innovation, and help employees feel connected.
You can use employee recognition apps to make this process easy. You can even create a list of all your employees and then assign points or badges for different achievements. Whatever you choose, make sure that this is reflected in your core company value and that any recognition serves to bolster these values.