How to Show Gratitude for Your Team

In today’s competitive business environment, it is critical to have a motivated and engaged workforce. One of the best and simplest ways to achieve this is by showing gratitude to team members for their hard work and contributions.

Appreciation is linked to job satisfaction and overall feelings of positivity. Leaders who practice gratitude consistently and genuinely tend to improve morale and productivity, leading to retention and success. Some simple and effective ways of showing gratitude include:

• Giving thanks – even for mundane tasks. It’s important to let people know you appreciate their efforts, even if they’re doing something that seems small or insignificant. A simple, genuine “thank you” or personalized note focused on the recipient’s performance “Your work on the … was exemplary” can go a long way.
• Recommending others for opportunities. Many employees value growth opportunities; consider when and how you can recommend performing team members for a promotion, a new project, or a professional development opportunity. This shows you value their contributions and are willing to help them advance their careers.
• Being respectful of everyone’s time. Make the most of meetings by sending agendas, sticking to the schedule, and allowing time for others to share their perspective, recommendations, and concerns. When people know their time is respected, they’re more likely to feel appreciated and produce their best work. Likewise, make time to get to know your team. In the age of virtual meetings, “water cooler” chat moments are no longer sporadic – we need to create opportunities to recognize one another.
• Getting your hands dirty/leading by example. Being willing to step in and do the same work your team members are doing builds trust, supports employee well-being, and indicates you’re committed to the team’s success.
• Publicly recognizing others. Show you appreciate team members’ efforts and accomplishments by recognizing them in a team meeting setting. Nurture respect amongst the team by setting aside time for members to recognize each other for the good work being performed.

Creating a culture where your team feels valued and appreciated is an easy and critical way to boost performance and engagement. One of my favorite ways to appreciate the Durakis remote team is to share a meal (on me!) when we are all together in person. I’d love to hear yours!