Image Source: Unsplash
In both our personal and professional lives, we all want and need to feel appreciated and valued. It is no different in the workplace, where simple and occasional reassurances can go a long way in building a positive and productive work environment. When leaders take the time to recognize their employees’ efforts and contributions, it not only boosts morale, but also helps create a sense of trust and respect between the two parties. That trust and respect supports greater collaboration and communication, which are essential for success in any organization. Reassurances can also reduce employee stress and anxiety, making them more productive in the long run. In short, the power of simple and occasional reassurances in the workplace should not be underestimated.
The importance of feeling appreciated and valued in the workplace
Everyone wants to feel appreciated and valued, but not everyone is given that chance. In the workplace, employees typically focus on doing the job they’ve been hired to do, and not much else. They may or may not acknowledge their colleagues’ efforts, but they rarely praise each other for their contributions. This can result in feelings of isolation, frustration, and low morale. When employees feel appreciated, they are more likely to stay with the company, work harder, and be more productive. So how can we bring more appreciation into the workplace? The best place to start is by acknowledging the contributions of your colleagues. This can be as simple as saying “thank you” when someone does something helpful or goes above and beyond. It can also include giving public recognition and praise for employees’ efforts and achievements.
Benefits of simple and occasional reassurances
There are many benefits of providing simple and occasional reassurances in the workplace, including the following: – Building trust and respect – When employees feel appreciated for their contributions, they also feel respected, which helps create trust in the relationship between them and their managers. In turn, this can help improve collaboration and communication between employees, which are essential for success in any organization. Employees are likely to be more willing to share their ideas and opinions with their managers when they feel respected. Managers, in turn, are more likely to take their employees’ ideas into account.
– Improving morale – Employees who feel appreciated are more likely to have higher morale and stay with the company, which is beneficial for everyone. This is especially true of high-performing employees who may be considering leaving due to a lack of appreciation.
– Increasing collaboration and communication – Collaboration and communication are essential in every workplace, but they can be challenging when employees feel dissatisfied or unrecognized. Simple and occasional reassurances can help boost these elements by showing employees their efforts are valued and appreciated.
Examples of simple and occasional reassurances
Simple and occasional reassurances can take many different forms, including the following:
– Praising employees for their contributions – Praising employees for their contributions is one of the simplest and most effective ways to boost morale and provide reassurance. It is important, however, to make sure praise is genuine and appropriate. If an employee has completed a task or project, but it doesn’t quite meet the expected standard, it is better to offer constructive criticism than empty praise.
– Publicly acknowledging employees’ achievements – Publicly acknowledging an employee’s achievement, even a small one, can help boost morale and provide reassurance. The best way to do this is at the end of a meeting or during a company-wide communication, such as an all-hands meeting or a company-wide email.
Tips for providing reassurances in the workplace
There are a few things to keep in mind when providing reassurances in the workplace: –
Timing is everything – It is important to provide reassurance at the right time and in the right way. When you are praising an employee for their efforts, make sure it is genuine. Praising someone for doing something that isn’t really that outstanding can hurt more than it helps.
– Make sure it is appropriate – Make sure whatever you are doing to provide reassurance is appropriate. For example, you don’t want to shout out praise during a meeting if it is for something unrelated to what is being discussed.
– Do it often – The more often you provide reassurances, the more impact they will have. Ideally, you want to provide a certain reassurance every week or every other week. This will help ensure it doesn’t lose its impact.
Conclusion
The power of simple and occasional reassurances in the workplace can’t be underestimated. When employees know they are appreciated and valued, they are more likely to stay with the company, work harder, and be more productive. Leaders can provide reassurances in a variety of ways, including praising employees for their contributions, publicly acknowledging employees’ achievements, and making sure to do it often.