How To Invest Effectively in Employee Appreciation
By Colleen Gallion
In my years as a corporate leader, I have spent countless hours planning and implementing employee appreciation programs. From hosting appreciation lunches for top performers to dressing up like an elf and hand-delivering holiday bonus checks, I pride myself on going above and beyond to ensure my employees “feel the love.” Here are some important lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Don’t start a program you can’t maintain
Here in Austin, Texas, we have an amazing cookie company called Tiff’s Treats. One company I worked for had Tiff’s Treats delivered every Friday. As the company grew, the cost of ordering enough cookies for the expanding workforce just didn’t make sense, so they decided to discontinue the weekly cookie delivery. Based on the reaction, you would think the company had announced layoffs! Whatever goodwill came with those cookies was lost when the program ended.
Be mindful of the message you’re sending
One holiday season, the founder of the tech company I worked for decided to give everyone in the company a set of high-end headphones. With the headphones, he included a note explaining how they were from a company in which he had made a large investment. The retail value of these headphones was easily more than $100, an amount most of the employees would have happily spent on groceries.
Although we all know it’s the thought that counts, the employees took the following message from the founder’s gesture: I make enough money to invest in multiple companies, unlike you folks, and I’m oblivious to the financial reality of the people who work for me.
Remember the “platinum rule”
The golden rule of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” isn’t enough when it comes to expressing appreciation. The platinum rule of “Invest the time to discover how others want to be treated” is the way to go. It’s an investment that will always pay dividends.
For example, I had a team member whose family had their very own “Happy Birthday” song. She had a milestone birthday approaching and wasn’t able to travel home to celebrate it with her family. A teammate reached out to one of her siblings to get a recording of him singing the song and we all learned it. As a team we invested a little bit of our time to learn the song, but the effect was extraordinary. Through tears she shared how much it meant to her that we learned that song. The platinum rule gives us all the opportunity to know others and be known by others in meaningful ways.
When in doubt, ask
Every year my team would get a budget for a holiday party. Based on that budget, I would pull together 4 or 5 ideas. I would then send out a survey and have my team rank the options based on their preference. What they didn’t know is that I did my best to incorporate aspects of the top 3 winners into the final event.
Did I love our holiday parties? Not especially, which is absolutely fine! My team had a fantastic time singing karaoke, playing mini golf, and doing similar activities because it’s what they wanted to do! Few ways make someone feel more appreciated than listening to them and doing what they’ve asked.
Cover all five languages of appreciation
Gary Chapman’s classic book “The Five Love Languages” has been reimagined for business as “The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace.” Just as we all have different communication styles, we all give and receive appreciation differently. All forms of appreciation are, well, appreciated, but when we receive appreciation in the language that resonates most for us, it has a bigger effect. If, as leaders, we are intentional about using all five languages, we are more likely to meet our folks where they are.
The five languages are:
• Words of affirmation. Whether written or verbal, receiving praise, encouragement, or recognition, especially from your leadership, can be powerful.
• Quality time. Whether it involves a regular one-on-one or an intentional walk to the coffee shop up the street, spending time with team members is essential.
• Acts of service. Who doesn’t love a leader who volunteers to roll up their sleeves and jump in to help?
• Gifts. For people who resonate with receiving gifts, it really is the thought that counts. A team member once gave me a little Wonder Woman statue that remains on my desk to this day.
• Physical touch. Now before you call human resources on me, this can be as simple as a high five or a fist bump.
Successful expressions of appreciation don’t have to take a lot of time or money, but they do require real intentionality. Get curious about your people and what lights them up. It’s a worthy investment of your attention.
COLLEEN GALLION is an ICF-certified professional coach whose passion is supporting entrepreneurs and founders in building healthy and sustainable teams. For more information, visit www.gallioncoaching.com.
