We can all remember a time we put our all into a project, nailed the execution, and delivered it to the client before the deadline. You got that feeling of satisfaction from a job well done, but that feeling of accomplishment is multiplied when your peers take notice. Recognition from our fellow employees can elevate our performance, increase trust, and improve job satisfaction.
What is Employee Recognition?
Employee recognition is the open acknowledgment of an employee’s behavior. It’s typically used to express appreciation between an employee and upper management. Recognizing your employees can motivate and reinforce desired behavior. Showing authentic appreciation for all workers will unlock their full potential and keep them engaged in their projects.
How Does Employee to Employee Recognition Differ?
Depending on the work environment, there could be unwanted tension between employees. Whether it’s because one person gets more praise than the other, or they’ve had a bad experience with that coworker, bad employee relationships can stifle productivity. When there’s a lot of arguing going on between project members, turnover rates become common.
Both managers and individual employees have to make a collaborative effort to ensure everyone gets the recognition they deserve. Peer-centric employee recognition will improve workplace culture and company values. In these peer recognition examples, coworkers are encouraged to drive program collaboration to enhance camaraderie and teamwork.
Why Peer-to-Peer Recognition is Important
Employees are Happier as a Result
Many people reflect on their workday on the ride home, and if they feel their fellow employees don’t appreciate them, they are less likely to feel included. Being left out in group projects or not receiving praise from coworkers can translate into an unhappy work-life balance. Employees that feel like they fit in with the company culture are less likely to feel unsatisfied at work.
Appreciative Peers are Appreciated Peers
Everyone appreciates the team member that offers praise because it shows they’re empathetic and are dedicated to building trust. Simply thanking your peers can foster a deeper connection, and it will also propel that peer to take charge more often. Receiving recognition from well-respected peers can give the thanked peer a huge morale boost and a better mood.
Inclusion in Peer Groups Reduces Turn Around Time
Joining a new work culture is incredibly intimidating. Everyone knows each other, but you don’t know anyone. If peers were empathetic to this situation and included new hires, they are more likely to stick around and involve themselves in more projects. Peers who take the initiative to include shy or new team members will foster a more inclusive and fun work environment.
How to Encourage Peer-to-Peer Recognition
Start With Management
Poor management too often pits employees against each other in a non-friendly competitive way. It’s fine to offer prizes for the best sale numbers because it encourages better performance, but if there are behind-the-scenes actors fostering hate between peers, your employees’ performance will permanently suffer. Management needs to take care that they don’t create jealous employees that are fighting for their acknowledgment.
Instead, ensure that every person receives praise in front of their peers with gifts and kind words. Make sure the praise is the same or similar to not create resentment between peers.
Create a Peer Focused Culture
Your employees all want to feel included, and they all want to receive recognition from each other. However, a problem can arise if there isn’t enough attention paid to peer interaction. Your employees have thoughts and opinions about their peers, and they’re more than willing to interact with one another if given a chance. Promote an open floor for interaction during meetings, and encourage them to collaborate and talk to each other during the workday.
Allow them to grow not just as employees in your business but as people. When given support from management, they are more likely to provide support to each other.
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