It's all about recognition!

I recently shared a reel about the importance of daily recognition for leaders. (Not a huge fan of being in front of the camera, but I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and doing more of it! 🎥)

Here’s the truth: Your personal habits of recognising your staff are critical—it’s step one. But building a culture of recognition is the long-term goal, and as we all know, it starts at the top—with you.

It’s not just about celebrating the big wins, but about acknowledging the day-to-day efforts that often go unnoticed. Here are some simple actions you can take to start building these recognition habits today:

1. Be Intentional with Daily Praise

Make it a point to recognise at least one team member every day for something specific they did well. It doesn’t have to be big—just deliberate in showing appreciation for their efforts.

Example: “I really appreciated the way you stepped in to support the team on that call today. It made a huge difference.”

2. Recognise the Process, Not Just the Results

Recognising effort and dedication is just as important as celebrating outcomes. Acknowledge the hard work and resilience, even if things didn’t go perfectly help people in turning up each day and giving it their 100% - consistently.

Example: “I know the project didn’t go exactly as planned, but I saw how much effort you put into finding solutions. That hard work doesn’t go unnoticed.”

3. Follow Up on Personal Details

Recognition doesn’t stop at work achievements. Remember important personal details—birthdays, hobbies, family milestones—and follow up on them. This shows genuine care and builds deeper connections. If you need to keep notes on this to help you remember - do it! Just be sure to keep this secure inline with your privacy policies 👍.

Example: “How did your son’s 1st day at school go? I remember you explaining that he was really looking forward to it!”.

4. Be Consistent and Genuine

Consistency is key. Make recognition part of your daily routine, not an afterthought. And be genuine—sincere recognition builds trust and encourages your team to keep giving their best.

Example: Set a daily reminder to reflect on your team’s contributions and offer real-time feedback. Most importantly - make it a priority to act upon this.

5. Lead by Example

If you want a culture of appreciation, it has to start with you. Recognition isn’t just about policy—it’s about action. Demonstrate a commitment to recognising your team’s efforts daily. Don’t just direct your managers to implement a recognition policy—actively practice it yourself. Whether it’s through personal emails, public shout-outs in meetings, or quick acknowledgments, the team will take cues from your behavior.

Example: At the end of each week, send a brief, personalised “thank you” note to one or two team members. Be specific about what they did and why it mattered - ensure this is genuine and considered. This small act of appreciation builds personal connections and sets the standard for recognition across the team.

Building a habit of recognition starts with these small, consistent actions. Once you lead by example, your team will follow. What’s one way you plan to start recognising your team today? Drop a comment below!

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