The importance of recognition
At my office, we have a pretty cool peer-to-peer recognition program set up. At the beginning of the year, each employee gets a certain amount of “points.” You can award the points to your peers when you want to thank/recognize them, and, they can award them to you! You redeem the points for prizes and giftcards.
Management is really good about recognition as well. There’s a lot of “I appreciate your hard work,” “You’re doing a great job on such-and-such project,” etc. There are also company-wide awards you can receive (I have personally received two certificates of appreciation).
To me, this sort of positive and appreciative recognition is so important to my happiness level (morale), perceived value, commitment, and oh, about a billion other emotions. Being appreciated/noticed for what I am contributing just makes you feel good. It does!
But, it doesn’t always happen, does it? Sometimes you wait and wait for it, and it never comes. In The Happiness Project the author talks about this quite a bit. She wants to be noticed by her husband for all the extra things she does, but he doesn’t seem to notice, or at least, act on noticing it. (And I want to talk more about that at a later date, especially if I ever get around to posting about that book with Erin! I know she had a lot of thoughts on that topic alone.)
So, that made me think, how important is recognition to our quality of life? What happens when recognition is absent?
To me, it seems our species has a need to feel special and unique, and well, helpful and valuable. Being recognized is a way to fulfill those needs. It makes you feel like you are contributing. And you are – actions, ideas, even just support when someone needs it. And perhaps the recognition makes you feel special, like you were there to help someone when they needed it and only you could help. Or you went above and beyond and did a favor that only you could do.
I think this relates to blogging. I mean, why blog? Besides connecting with people, we want to be recognized. To feel like we are contributing something of value (low or high). We want to feel like, in a sea of people, where so many of us have the same interests, we can prove that we are still an individual (not sure where all of this is coming from).
Sometimes I wonder if I should have been a sociologist, since I like to think about stuff like this and ask questions. Anyway –
Do you think recognition is important? How do you recognize others? Do you feel recognized?
Themocracy
It’s a good question. I think the “right” answer is that we should do things just because, not for recognition, but the real answer is that we all want to be recognized and approved of in some way. I think for me I have always wanted to write and have always felt there was a side to myself that not everyone saw that I could put into writing. To be “seen” in my writing has meant a lot to me. It’s a fine line. You don’t want to be an egomaniac who always as to have attention, but it sure feels good to get a pat on the back or some sort of acknowledgment.
I definitely agree that it should not be forced or not authentic. That would just make it worse!
I do love how you write on your blog. I often recommend your blog because I think you are so funny. Do you write elsewhere?
That’s so great that your company has a program set up like that. More companies should follow suit. I think recognition is extremely important to any human being. We all like to think we’re having some kind of effect, in a positive way. I tend to overwork and be very much a ‘background’ person, seemingly quiet and not rattled by much. I think people forget that I need/want to be told I’m doing a good job. We all move so fast and it’s important to just take some time to say “Thank you.” I don’t do things just for recognition, but it is nice to be noticed (especially with work).
That’s the thing – it is so easy. People do just want to hear “thank you.” They just want to know their hard work is noticed!
You are so lucky to have programs like that at work. I was just talking to someone today about how important recognition is, and how some people would value being told “good job” more than even a pay increase. I cannot tell you the last time someone at work told me I did a good job unless it was a project I wouldn’t normally take on. 🙁
Recognition programs and performance awards are good morale boosters. But I think some companies use them instead of giving pay increases, and that is not cool in my book.
I love to be recognized in general, even if it my yoga teacher saying “good job” or my husband thanking me for picking up groceries.
In my company, all of our raises are scheduled (yearly), and we know that going in, so the recognition is a nice bonus.
I think, that if we had those at my work, teachers would stop acting like the students. Seriously, some of them are more petty than the middle schoolers. And it is at its worst at the end of the year. Myself included, many of us spend much of the year feeling under appreciated. Even if we “know” we are…we should know! Make sense?
I love that idea at your work! I definitely think recognition is important, especially when you’re new and unsure (I’m an intern this summer!), recognition can definitely give you confidence and motivation to excel. And really, all I need is a “Great job today” – which isn’t so hard if you ask me : )
I totally agree! I also think that is to a huge degree the appeal of blogging – who doesn’t like a little positivie feedback on a regular basis? Cool that they have a real program for that at your job.
It is amazing how good one positive comment can make you feel, right?
That program sounds pretty cool. Not sure it would work in my office but it’s a good idea. I really like being recognized for my work. I don’t do work just for the recognition, but it feels good when people take notice of all the hard work you’ve put into something. I bet a lot of people feel like nobody notices the things they do.
I am amused that you posted this today though because my boss is taking me and another coworker out to lunch today as a thanks for all the hard work we did over the past few months. There are other people in our work group but he feels that he and I contributed the most to the tasks at hand and made everything come together. I’m appreciative that he took notice and is at least showing recognition.
Congrats on being recognized at the lunch!
I agree that recognition should not be a motivating factor (you can tell when it is for people!) but that it makes you feel so good!
First, love the picture of you and Tori in your header. 🙂
Second, recognition is key- from bosses, loved ones and peers. But doing it out of obligation totally steals its thunder. Sometimes I get what feels like forced recognition and it doesn’t have the same effect (my boss struggles with this). I love a little note of appreciation so I can hang onto it and re-read it when I might need encouragement. At my office we sometimes have entire staff meetings devoted to giving each other shout outs (like this week’s one).
Thank you!
I think the shout out meeting is a cool idea! And I hear you on being able to tell when it is forced. It’s just not natural for some people!
Your work program sounds like a great idea! I wish grad school had that, hahaha.
I’ve never thought about it, but I guess recognition IS really important to people. I’ve always noticed that people seek out validation, which may be the same thing as recognition. (I especially notice this with bloggers.)
I should make a greater effort to recognize and appreciate people around me. It seems like a really easy way to maintain my positive relationships and make people around me feel better!
Yeah – validation. Maybe that is what I meant 😉
I get recognized at work fairly regularly (bosses, coworkers in a superior position but are not my direct bosses, etc) but it actually makes me kind of uncomfortable b/c I am afraid of looking like a suck up and I’m afraid it makes others on my team feel diminished in effort or importance. I usually turn those compliments into a “thank you but I couldn’t do it without XYZ” to deflect some of my own personal worries.
Beyond professionally, I think it’s really important to acknowledge those for their personal accomplishments which is where *I* feel unrecognized and really always try to ask others what they are doing and try to remember to follow up with them when they say they have something going on. I feel like many of my “in town” (not college) friends just see me as an “executive who works a stressful job with a lot of hours” since that’s the stage of my life they met me in. But they forget(?) that I’m also a musician, a runner and someone who is very active with our humane society and I really wish they would take the time to ask about any of those things!
Sorry this is turning into a rant but it’s very timely b/c our Bunco group met last week and another one of the girls in the group is also a runner. Someone else (not a runner) introduced a new person to the other runner, gushing on and on about how “Jane” (made up name) is a runner, blah blah blah about her running. “Oh and this is Melissa, she works at XYZ company” REALLY?? Melissa is also a runner(!) (who, if we’re counting, which we’re not b/c I really like Jane BUT has run more races than Jane and has run 2 half marathons already this year!) Just b/c I’m not as skinny or as fast as Jane doesn’t make me any less of a runner (among other things). OK, I’m done now, thanks for giving me the forum to vent!
Oh Melissa. I totally hear you on this one. I crave for people to ask me about something *I* have an interest in, rather than it being the other way around. Especially the running. Right now, I am injured, and really… no one seems to care. At least it doesn’t feel like it. So please, tell us about these other things that interest you! Are you a blogger as well?
I wish my job had something like that. My previous job had employee of hte month and the Kara Award per month. One came with a free day off & the other with a $25 bonus. Both came with an up front parking spot.
This current job does nothing like that. Sure we have the standard yearly awards. This year, the president didn’t even give the plaques to the honourees but instead had someone else walk them to their seat in the audience. Pretty lame.
In fact, we hardly even see the administration. They are down in their corner of the campus and that’s it. President usually says “stop me in the hallway” or “my door is always open” but he’s NEVER in the hallway and he’s hardly here.
At my previous job, the publisher took time to come out of his office near the front of the building to the back of the building where I was and pulled up a chair near my desk and specifically asked me about my first half marathon. I felt so special.
I’m not saying they need to be our best friend but you know, finding out a few things can even increase productivity and loyalty to employees. Luckily, my boss is really good at recognition.
It’s really bad when someone says “my door is open” but you know it isn’t. That is the worst. I am happy your boss is cool, at least 🙂
We really struggle with experiencing any kind of merit praise or recognition. I want to say that it’s because I work for the state, but I think it’s a variety of factors, that only being one. Though, I supervise and I make it a point to say show or share gratitude often. I always make sure that people get credit for their portion of a project, whether it’s a student assistant or a full-time staff member. My boss, who runs the department and is faculty occasionally acknowledges that something takes a lot of effort, but he’s mostly hands-off in the recognition dept.
I’ve had people take credit for work I’ve done, and I’ve seen other people in my department (other managers) NOT credit the individuals who have helped them (usually their staff); when they’re thanked, they take the credit, and that pisses me off so hard!
I’d really love to implement some kind of reward/kudos/staff-appreciating-staff system; I’m just unsure where to start.
Also: I really want to be better at commenting on all blogs that I read and most of the posts.
I think you are starting in the right direction by being such a great supervisor to your team. Believe me, people do notice.
We do have the issue where I work with people taking credit, so I struggle with the same thing. Yes, we are ONE company, but we need to value individuals as well!
And no worries – I understand about not commenting. I struggle a lot to find the time to do so!
I think recognition is really important. However, I seem to remember there being some studies done that the form the recognition should take can vary based on the generation of the person being recognized. Some people like to be recognized in front of everyone while others would just like a raise. I try to at least say thank you when people help me out at work. It seems like so little but it’s better than nothing.
Also, I just noticed the new header photo. It’s cute! Was that at the beginning or the end?
I wonder if they have done that study at my office. We have a huge variance in age… hmm.
Ha. That was definitely the beginning of the race. When there were still people pretty close to us 😉
I feel like being recognized is important. Sounds silly, but if no one comments on a blog post I feel like something is wrong, they didn’t like what I had to say, maybe I am not interesting enough etc. It’s weird but the comments = recognition that I’m okay to keep doing what I’m doing. And in any realm you want to be appreciated or acknowledged for your work. Your work program sounds very cool and it would be motivating too.
I know what you mean – when I get a few comments I think “oops, I really didn’t make sense” – and it makes me feel bad, even though it shouldn’t.
My company gives out special recognition awards for each team quarterly. I think most of the teams nominate who they think deserves special recognition for the last quarter and then the head managers of each team selects the winners from the nominations and designates how much each person gets (no idea how they choose that).
I’ve received a number of these awards and they are a really nice surprise! They send an email out to the team with a recap of the reason for the nomination. Cash is great! However, we are taxed on it, so we only really get like 45% or something ridiculous. It’s frustrating because I know other companies actually get the full amount…
My company has a similar program. But, based on some training that I’ve had, I think a lot of the reason that they have it is because we hire a lot of 20 somethings. Based on a course that I took that was all about working styles, our generation really thrives on continuous feedback.
RE: Blogging…..I don’t know. I did blog for nearly 1.5 years without so much as a peep from anyone else and I kept doing it. But, now my blog is much more popular (than the 2 readers that it had before) I really enjoy all of the feedback that I get.
So, to answer your question.l….I’m not sure!
Oh goodness…this is one of the million complaints I have about my job. I *never* get postive reinforcement from anyone related to the company…if a patient happens to send a card that mentions my name, I get a copy of it (which I stick in a binder so I can look at them when I hate my job), but that’s as far as any recognition goes. I had my annual review with my manager, and I knew that the review went well because she didn’t say anything bad. She didn’t say ANYTHING good (outside of “you get compliments from patients”), and it’s really hard to deal with! Especially as a new nurse, I wanted to know that I was doing things right and doing them well. My manager would say things like “you’re where you should be” in my first couple months, but even that doesn’t really mean anything. I think it’s so important to get feedback and positive reinforcement, especially in a job like nursing that can wear on you so much.
In reference to blogging, I don’t have aspirations of being one of the BIG bloggers, but I do get a little sad when a post only gets two comments! I smile a little every time I see a new comment because it shows that someone cared enough to read about my life and comment!