In every industry, the key to building a truly engaged and productive team is recognizing their efforts.

However, just 30 percent of employees in a 2024 Gallup poll reported receiving praise for their positive contributions to their company. But while some leaders believe that their employees value physical gifts highly, in reality, they’re often perceived as more transactional than heartfelt. Instead, you need to find more personal ways to connect with your team and acknowledge their efforts. Implement the following creative strategies, and you may just help your employees unlock their full potential.

Acknowledge and celebrate achievements

It may seem simple, but a genuine “thank you” for a job well done holds unmatched value. Frequently acknowledge individual and team accomplishments through channels like a company newsletter, social media postings, or team meetings. You can also implement a peer-to-peer appreciation system, where employees can thank and praise each other publicly. Additionally, make sure to give one-onone acknowledgments to your employees, such as by offering meaningful feedback that validates their contributions and celebrating milestones like birthdays, work anniversaries, and personal triumphs.

Invest in employee development

Employees who believe that their professional and personal growth is supported are more likely to feel appreciated by their company. To facilitate this, consider implementing a mentoring program or pairing new hires with experienced colleagues for guidance and encouragement. You can also provide more deliberate professional-development opportunities, whether in-house or external, such as workshops, conferences, webinars, and skillbuilding activities. These initiatives will help your team see that you’re committed to growing them within your company, ultimately promoting their job satisfaction.

Foster a positive work environment

When employees are burned out, their morale and productivity plummet, so focus on enhancing their worklife balance to give them chances to reset and refresh. Consider adaptable work arrangements, such as remote work, compressed workweeks, or flexible hours, and encourage the use of paid time off. You could even explore additional perks like providing PTO for birthdays or half-day Fridays on holiday weekends—small gestures such as these can have a significant impact. In the workplace, model an attitude of gratitude and empathy, finding ways to relate to your employees and assist them where needed. Whether by writing personal messages, offering verbal compliments for a job well done, or simply listening, you can make the difference between happy, long-term employees and a high turnover rate.

Empower and trust your employees

Nobody enjoys working under a micromanager. Instead, demonstrate trust in your employees by delegating meaningful tasks, allowing autonomy in their decision-making, and granting them ownership of their duties. In addition, foster an environment where experimentation and risk-taking are valued, enabling your employees to feel in control of how they accomplish their tasks. Though gifts may seem to be the only way to acknowledge your employees, consider the power of public praise and recognition. Acknowledge their initiatives and contributions to your company, and you can build a strong team that very well may last for years to come.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Luke Acree is an authority on leadership, a lead-generation specialist, and a referral expert who has helped more than 100,000 entrepreneurs and small businesses grow their companies. He hosts Stay Paid, a sales and marketing podcast, and has been featured in Entrepreneur, Forbes, and Foundr.com.

TAKE ACTION:
Assess what motivates your employees beyond conventional gift giving, and then integrate more effective recognition strategies into your workplace.