What are some creative ways to express gratitude to your team members?

Though it's occasionally appropriate to praise a group, it will have a bigger impact if you praise an individual for their contribution or success. People want to feel "seen" and praise is a powerful way to do that. To personalize praise means to address them specifically, to reference what they did successfully, and to do so in a timely manner. It also means praising them in a way they'll appreciate - public, personal, written, etc.

As humans, we tend to seek praise and appreciation for our work. But appreciation should NOT look like a formality and for the sake of it. It should be felt, and should reflect your commitment to motivate people. Generic praise has almost ZERO impact. It's like fulfilling an obligation of saying few good words, and still expect them to continue remain motivated. You don't have to spend any money to show your gratitude. You don't have to cry or shower heavy-duty praises on anyone. Just some human touch, and personalisation will do the magic.

In meetings, take the opportunity to acknowledge individuals who are doing great work. Simply mentioning their name, what they did, and its significance shows appreciation for their efforts. Gestures like bringing in treats such as donuts, bagels, or coffee can also uplift spirits. It's important to note, however, that these gestures shouldn't replace deserved raises or promotions for those who have demonstrated outstanding performance and are due for recognition.

Write a public recommendation or recognition post on LinkedIn. Highlight their achievements on the company’s social media channels. Create an “Employee of the Month” award with a certificate and a small prize. Use a rotating trophy or plaque that the employee can keep on their desk for the month. Offer ergonomic desk equipment or a plant for their workspace. Allow them to customize their workspace or give them a small budget for office decorations. Give tickets to concerts, theater shows, or sporting events. Provide vouchers for experiences like cooking classes, wine tastings, or adventure activities. Host surprise appreciation events with fun activities and treats.

Pedir opinión y confiar en el criterio y profesionalidad de los empleados suele ser un muy buena forma de mostrarles que confías en ellos y hacen bien su trabajo. Si bien es cierto que si estamos elogiando a una personas todo el rato por su trabajo, los comentarios perderán valor, si sabemos como tratar con respeto y demostrar su reconocimiento con otras formas, cuando queramos elogiarlos, lo sentirán como un triunfo personal a todo el trabajo realizado.

Sharing knowledge and registering them for some trainings is also an 'indirect' way of helping them. When you work towards their growth and uplift, they will feel good about it. Tell them the benefits they will achieve through these sessions / trainings.

You can give recognition and feedback in practically the same breath. That might sound like, “Amazing job on that project. You did such a great job with x. As you think about how to build upon that next time, consider y. Here’s how you might approach that.” Feedback is a tool to help others succeed and can be an important part of celebrating the wins of your team members.

Providing constructive feedback and support is essential for continuous improvement and growth. According to a report by Zenger/Folkman, employees who receive feedback feel more engaged and perform better. Effective feedback is specific, actionable, and balanced with positive reinforcement. Additionally, offering support, such as resources, training, or mentoring, empowers employees to overcome challenges and develop their skills. Regular check-ins and open communication channels create an environment where team members feel valued and encouraged to strive for excellence.

1. Focus on professional aspects 2. Get specific 3. Highlight the positives 4. Praise publicly, scold privately 5. Give your feedback freely 6. Ask for feedback as well 7. Turn giving feedback into a routine 8. Pay attention to the things you say 9. Look for people with growth mind-sets

Inc. published an article about the most common days people decide to quit their jobs. The three most common days were work anniversaries, birthdays and high school reunions. Those were days were people were reflective and wondered “Am I where I want to be in life?” If managers or companies ignore those days (particularly birthdays and work anniversaries) then team members will have really negative sentiment as they consider that question. I card, a small gift, or a quick conversation could make all the difference as they consider whether or not they’re happy on those important days.

These achievements can happen on logical points - like some positive customer feedback, anniversaries, successful releases, or when you achieve a milestone. To make it more aligned with your team's deliveries and growth, create a few goals for the team. Celebrate when they are achieved. We used to regularly celebrate different events. This brought fun element in the team, and gave us opportunities to collaborate on topics other than work. To make sure that we didn't over-celebrate (and control on budget), we used to combine a few events and go for lunches / small parties.

Celebrating milestones and achievements fosters a culture of recognition and motivation. A study by Bersin & Associates revealed that organizations with effective recognition programs have 31% lower voluntary turnover rates. Recognize both individual and team accomplishments through various methods, such as awards, public acknowledgments, or celebratory events. Highlighting significant achievements not only boosts morale but also reinforces the behaviors and efforts that align with the organization's goals. Regularly celebrating successes helps build a positive work environment where everyone feels appreciated and inspired to contribute their best.

• Promotions: Recognize an employee's hard work and potential with a promotion. • Project completion: Celebrate the completion of a project or a client win. • Professional development: Provide opportunities for career development to show that you care about your employees' growth. • Employee of the month: Recognize an employee's hard work and contributions with a monthly award. • Team celebrations: Celebrate successes to boost morale and inspire employees to keep up the good work. • Rewards scheme: Use a point system that allows employees to select rewards that matter to them. • Additional leave: Give employees extra time to celebrate away from the office.

Expresar gratitud a los miembros del equipo puede tener un impacto profundo en su motivación y compromiso. Más allá de las palabras, las acciones que demuestran confianza y reconocimiento pueden ser mucho más poderosas. Delegar tareas importantes o empoderar a un empleado para liderar un proyecto no solo muestra que confías en su capacidad, sino que también fomenta el crecimiento y el desarrollo profesional. Al brindarles autonomía y la oportunidad de tomar decisiones, les demuestras que valoras su juicio y potencial, lo que fortalece la relación y contribuye a un equipo más cohesionado y productivo.

When recognizing your teammates, show interest in their work by: - Asking for the story. "That was amazing, tell me how you did it." Learn how they solved the problem, what they love about their work, and what makes them feel proud. This data is invaluable. - Contextualizing gratitude Many employees can’t see how their daily efforts contribute to broader strategies and company performance. As a leader with this perspective, show them. - Acknowledging the cost What did it take for your teammate to do what they did? Maybe they sacrificed time with family, or there was an on emotional toll of taking on something new. Acknowledging the challenges signals that you see the full picture of their efforts.

Ever walk into a coffee shop and the barista remembers your usual order? It's a small gesture, but it shows they pay attention and care, right? The same goes for your team! Saying thank you is great. But showing genuine interest & empathy takes your appreciation to the next level, in a way that resonates deeply. -Be a listening ear -Celebrate everyday wins -Offer support where necessary -Ask about their hobbies and interests -Remember milestones like birthdays -Respect boundaries, it’s important -Acknowledge their opinions and ideas -Encourage upskilling and development -Be flexible with work schedules when needed -Etc By taking an interest in your team, you're sending a powerful message: I appreciate and value YOU, not just what you do.

When you engage with team on personal level, you will discover an altogether different world that they have, other than the one you know. They might be struggling with some personal issues, they might have some hobbies or likings that are totally unexpected, and much more. Knowing about some of their struggles, passions and challenges, you will start respecting and acknowledging their efforts even more. Even if you are woking with them closely in office, they have many other things in their lives which you are unaware of. With more personal interactions, you get to know about some of those pieces. This helps create a better bonding and understanding.

Showing genuine interest and empathy towards your team members strengthens relationships and trust. Research from the Center for Creative Leadership indicates that empathetic leaders are viewed as better performers by their bosses. Take the time to understand your employees' perspectives, challenges, and aspirations. Engage in active listening and provide emotional support when needed. Demonstrating empathy creates a supportive workplace where team members feel understood and valued, leading to increased job satisfaction and loyalty. This approach also fosters a collaborative and inclusive culture where everyone feels motivated to achieve their best.

One of the most effective strategies is to empower more individuals to take on larger roles in the overall process. This helps them feel like integral participants rather than mere spectators. This approach benefits the employees and team morale and encourages greater participation from others who see their hard work being recognized and rewarded.

"Open your dam" Delegating your tasks to your team members, and empowering them has humongous benefits. 1. Leaves you with lesser things to worry on. And you can manage your work better 2. Helps your team members learn, grow and shine 3. Breaks monotony, brings freshness, and a break from their usual (mundane) tasks 4. Reassures them that you trust them, and are ready to give them more 5. Sometimes, they do the same work much better than you. Don't underestimate their creativity and productivity

Delegating tasks and empowering employees to take ownership of their work fosters growth and confidence. According to a study by Gallup, employees who feel empowered are 67% more likely to put in extra effort at work. Trusting your team members with responsibilities and decision-making authority shows that you value their skills and judgment. Provide clear guidelines and support while giving them the autonomy to manage their tasks. This approach not only enhances productivity but also encourages innovation and professional development, as employees feel more engaged and motivated to excel in their roles.