5 Ways To Recognize Excellent Employees
Studies have proven it time and time again: employees who receive recognition for a job well done are happier with their jobs. When they feel valued, their individual productivity increases and they are more likely to remain loyal to your company for years to come. Check out these methods for recognizing your high-quality employees and the excellent work they do for your company.
Talk Directly to Them
The easiest and perhaps the most meaningful way to provide employee recognition is to speak directly to the person you want to praise. Whether you do it face-to-face or by sending a note or email, personal recognition goes a long way toward boosting morale.
Use your employee's name when contacting him and be specific about what his achievement was and how it added value to the company. In addition to the letter, add a note to the employee's file about the praise. This way, you are more likely to remember it and factor it into any decisions at the next annual review.
Get (Slightly) Involved in Their Personal Lives
Getting involved in your employees' personal lives doesn't mean standing at the water cooler for the Monday morning gossip. You don't want to be nosy, but you do want to be attentive. Perhaps an employee's wife just had a baby, or maybe another one's beloved pet just passed away.
From weddings to birthdays, mailing a card to the employee's home address (you might even consider tossing in a $5 gift card for good measure) for a major life event shows thoughtfulness. It proves that you listen to what's going on in their lives and that you care enough to take a moment from your own day to recognize theirs.
Buy Them Lunch
Food is excellent motivation for your hungry employees, so why not show them recognition by buying them lunch once every week or two? You'll appreciate the boost and energy and productivity after they eat, and they'll love that you provided free lunch and let them take some time to bond with other employees.
Remember, though, that nobody likes to eat the same thing all the time. If you plan to make a habit of providing lunch, switch up where you order from sometimes for variety. Additionally, if you have vegetarians, vegans, or people with other diet restrictions on your team, remember to bring something to accommodate them as well.
Be Honest With Them
Part of showing your employees recognition is showing that you respect them enough to tell them the truth. Even great employees make errors or need guidance from time to time. If you have feedback for an employee, be honest about it, especially if he asked for it first. Pretending that everything is fine doesn't help him learn and won't help you get the work you want.
You don't need to be mean with your feedback, but you do need to be honest. To soften the blow, start with something positive, then move into providing the negative feedback, and finally, provide suggestions for improvement. Close the conversation by reassuring him that you're available if he has any questions or comments.
Plan Company Events
Corporate events have a cheesy reputation thanks to their portrayal in the media, but many of them are actually very entertaining and offer a great way for employees to get to know each other and improve morale. Lots of companies host holiday parties, summer barbecues, or purchase discount tickets to local amusement parks.
These are excellent choices for fun, casual days, but try to get creative as well. Consider ways you can mingle while providing for the community at the same time, such as walking a 5K for charity, volunteering at a soup kitchen, or cleaning up a neighborhood park.
Remember, recognizing your employees for a job well done is not a one-time thing. They don't need a pat on the back every time they do something right, but don't get so used to good work that you stop praising it altogether. Finding middle ground is the best way to ensure you and your employees alike are happy, productive, and working toward the same goals.
