The Power of Appreciation in the Workplace | #hrmanagement #hrexecutive

Let me ask you a question: how happy are your employees? Do they like their work? Do they feel recognized for their efforts? Do they feel appreciated for being a part of your team? Perhaps not all that surprising, feeling valued and recognized at a company can have a significant effect on how someone enjoys his or her job. However, what is more surprising is that happiness in someone’s professional life can impact their productivity. An unhappy worker may be 10% less productive than other personnel. With that thought, how can you make your team happy?

Good managers know that expressing gratitude to their team is a powerful way to keep people engaged. Research shows that workers thrive when they know they are appreciated. In one study, college students were divided into three groups. One group listed five things they were grateful for that week; another wrote about five hassles; and the third listed five events (positive or negative) that had happened. After ten weeks, researchers found that the students who had listed things for which they were grateful felt healthier, more optimistic and more positive about their lives. They even exercised more and slept better than the other participants.

But these benefits don’t only apply to students. Other research shows that people who feel appreciated at work tend to be more productive and willing to work harder than those who don’t feel valued. They also may be more optimistic and better able to cope with stress and difficult job duties, ultimately leading to higher job quality and higher job satisfaction.

For example, in one study, fundraisers who were actively thanked for their efforts made 50% more calls than those who received no such message. In a similar vein, expressing appreciation at work could improve employee engagement. Studies show that seven in 10 workers whose bosses recognized their efforts described themselves as happy with their jobs. Other research agrees that providing team members with specific, positive feedback could improve motivation, productivity and participation.

For more information and ideas on the importance of employee appreciation, check out the infographic below!