How Much Recognition Do Employees Need? at DrivenLeaders.com

employee recognition How Much Recognition Do Employees Need?

If you’ve asked yourself this one, you’re certainly not alone. When it comes to praise and recognition, managers and employees often have two very different opinions on the subject. Managers feel that they provide ample recognition while employees generally feel that praise is glaringly absent in the workplace. Because of this disconnect, it’s not uncommon for managers to unknowingly run the risk of demotivating employees, simply on the fact that they don’t provide enough praise. So the question still begs, “How much recognition is appropriate?”

According to Gallup data, the key to effective recognition is that it be honest and based on outcomes that are measurable. They suggest that the correct answer to our question is once every seven days.

“Once every seven days, all employees should be individually recognized or at least told that they have done a good job or that they have set a record. And you can never give too much recognition if it is honest and deserved.” - Rodd Wagner and James K. Harter, 12: The Elements of Great Managing

Think of the last time you were praised for providing your best efforts or the time you put into a particular project. How did you feel? Recognition doesn’t always have to be a grandiose event. Even simple recognition of routine efforts can be the difference between an employee increasing productivity and silently looking for other jobs over their lunch hour.

In the research for their book, 12: Elements for Great Managing, Rodd Wagner and James K. Harter found that less than 1 in 3 employees can give a strong positive answer to the statement, “In the last seven days, I have received recognition for doing good work.”

How does that compare to your situation? If providing praise at least once every seven days sounds like a lot, it may be time for a gut check. There should always be something that you can find positive about someones efforts within that time span. Without a doubt there is a direct correlation between recognition and level of employee engagement.

Rodd Wagner and James Harter may have said it best, “With its power, ridiculously low cost and rarity, (praise) is one of the greatest lost opportunities in the business world today.” Perhaps we should rethink our question, asking ourselves instead -“When was the last time I praised someone for good work?”

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