Why Employee Recognition Matters: How Praise Improves Performance and Retention

Employee attrition often times can be boiled down to one or two culprits. One of the largest contributors to people leaving their employer has to do with a lack of respect in the workplace. When employees feel they aren’t valued for their contributions, the thought of leaving their boss or their company becomes a daily reality.

How can leadership impact their employees, increasing job satisfaction, career happiness and employee initiative?  Through PRAISE.
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If you happen to be in a leadership role (noticed I chose the word leadership and not manager – there’s a big difference) you have the ability to directly influence, in a positive way, the experience your employees have in their jobs. When done with genuine care and appreciation, praise can have the biggest impact on an employees’ performance and mindset. And the best part? Providing praise is free! Zip, ziltch, nada…nothing out of your pocket or that impressive departmental budget you control.

Recognition in the workplace boosts employee confidence, empowering them to increase productivity. Rewarding and praising your counterparts or direct reports in front of their peers sends a powerful message that far surpasses any monetary reward. Don't get me wrong, plenty of us enjoy bonuses for a job well done but praise hits at a deeper level than just the pocketbook. 

When employees know they’re respected and appreciated, motivation and individual morale typically surge upward accompanied by an increased positive work environment. If you haven’t read, “How Full Is Your Bucket?”, by Tom Rath and Don Clifton, we would highly suggest doing so. This book highlights the importance of recognition in both the workplace and life, providing positive strategies to uplift those around you. 41% of job seekers identified a lack of recognition as the largest contributor to poor productivity, which in turn directly contributes to employee attrition.

Two rules of thumb to remember when giving praise:

1. Make sure its genuine, and
   
2. Make sure it’s not the flavor of the month.
   

Giving genuine praise when it’s deserved is important to the health of any company and employee.

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