4 principles for effective employee appreciation

Employee appreciation is a critical part of building a workplace where people actually want to stay. Companies that recognize their employees consistently see higher engagement, better morale, and stronger performance.

Employee recognition and appreciation is something of an art form. It’s very subjective, and there’s no one defined way to do it “right,” because it all depends on the person you are recognizing. But there is one guiding principle behind it – if you want recognition to be meaningful, it needs to be frequent, specific, and honor the dignity of the person in question.

Recently, we celebrated Employee Appreciation Day, so we have some ideas fresh on our minds about ways you can make your employees feel truly valued for who they are and what they do. Here’s what we came up with:

Recognize your people how THEY want

Not everyone likes the spotlight. Some employees love public praise, while others appreciate a private gesture. For those that appreciate a more public showing, a quick shoutout in a group meeting, a team-wide email recognizing a big accomplishment, or even a simple message in your chat can do the trick.

For those who appreciate a more private style of recognition, write them thank-you note, get them a coffee, or just let them know in a 1-on-1 meeting. The best recognition is tailored to the person receiving it. Take the time to understand what resonates with each employee so appreciation feels genuine, not boilerplate.

Tie recognition to outcomes

Employees want to know why their contributions are valued. Instead of generic praise, shout out specific actions that led to specific outcomes. Use phrases like:

“Your quick thinking [action] saved the client relationship. [outcome]”

“Your presentation [action] made a complex topic easy to understand. [outcome]”

“You stepped up when the team needed support [action], and it made a huge difference. [outcome]”

Take advantage of any opportunity you can to show your employees that their work is having a positive impact on overall outcomes. When employees see exactly how the things they do matter for the success of their team and company, they are much more likely to stay motivated in their role.

Encourage peer-to-peer recognition

Recognition shouldn’t just come from the top down. Some of the most valuable praise comes from peers who see the hard work that leaders and managers can’t always see. Invest in a system that allows employees to recognize each other for a job well done. The Dignify system provides a convenient tool for employees to do this, all while honoring the person for who they are and reinforcing your company’s core values.

Celebrate people for their lives, not just work

Employees aren’t just workers they’re people with lives outside of the office. Recognizing birthdays, work anniversaries, or even personal achievements like running a marathon or completing a degree shows that you see them as more than just a job title. At Dignify, we open every all-company meeting with a “Good News Check-In,” where people go around the table and share something good that’s happened in their lives since we last met.

The bottom line

Recognition doesn’t have to be expensive, complicated, or reserved for major achievements. The best appreciation is consistent, personal, and tied to what actually matters to employees as a person. When people feel valued, they don’t just work harder, they stick around. And in a world where top talent have their pick of the litter, that makes all the difference.