Appreciation
Did you know that more employees leave their jobs because they don’t feel appreciated than over money? Yes, it is true. Employees may complain about money but that is not the primary reason they leave.
It should be easy to show appreciation. First off, a simple “Thank You” can do wonders. How about, “Great job! You really made a difference today” or “you did a great job handling that customer.” Your simple words can mean so much.
Another way of showing appreciation is writing a thank you note. You may even want to mail it to the employee’s home. That way they can show it off and know that you appreciate their efforts.
Having a “pot luck” lunch or ordering lunch may be an option as well. A small gift card can speak volumes about how you feel about the work your employees do. An extra afternoon off is also a great way to say thank you.
That said, appreciation does not have to cost money. When you are creative you can be appreciative in many ways. Utilize staff meetings as a time to recognize those who “make a difference” in your workplace. My sister had a boss that each week at the staff meeting, she recognized one employee (everyone was selected at one time or another). She went on to say what that employee did that went above and beyond and why she was selecting the employee to recognize.
Little things can make a big difference. Isn’t that what life is all about?
