A good leader creates a work environment in which people feel appreciated and motivated. When you recognize people effectively, you reinforce the actions and behaviors you want to see employees repeat, and promote an energized productive team! During Employee Appreciation Week, we encourage you take a moment and show your appreciation towards a fellow co-worker, supervisor, or other staff member. Here are some ideas:
For Employee Appreciation Week:
- Encourage all of your employees to take part in Employee Appreciation Week activities, including “Team Building Thursday”.
- Send an e-mail, give a card, or post a note on the door of your employees thanking them for their hard work and contributions to UW-Green Bay.
- Recognize employee achievements publicly, at a team meeting or on your department website.
- Call an employee to your office to thank them (don’t discuss any other issue).
- Bring treats or take your team out to lunch.
- Make a banner to hang in your office or decorate an office bulletin board in recognition of your employees.
All year:
- When you hear a positive remark about someone, repeat it to that person as soon as possible (Face-to-face is best, e-mail or voice mail are good in a pinch).
- Hold monthly team meetings to discuss ‘big-picture’ goals and ‘day-to-day’ projects. Evaluate a completed project and share what went well and what can be improved on. Acknowledge individual and team accomplishments.
- Empower your employees – ask them to lead a project, run a meeting, and represent your team on a committee or at an event. Give special assignments to people who show initiative.
- Look for opportunities for your employees to benefit from cross-training and professional development.
- Establish a place to display memos, posters, photos and so on, recognizing progress towards goals and thanking individuals for their help.
- Write a letter of praise recognizing specific contributions and accomplishments of your employees. Share it with their next level supervisor.
- Set achievable yet challenging goals for your team, measure progress, report results, and recognize their success.
- Listen. Great communicators listen more than they speak. They ask questions to draw out the knowledge and opinions of their team, and team members feel affirmed that their opinion matters and they are valued.
- Ask for employee’s ideas – even “pie in the sky” ideas. Instead of rejecting a new idea or approach, pause and consider the possibilities. Consider what might work rather than what won’t.
- Practice positive nonverbal behaviors that demonstrate appreciation, such as smiles or a handshake.