Workplace values, like recognition, are an essential aspect of any work environment. Whether you work from home or need to be in an office, employees need to adhere to certain unspoken standards of work ethics.
In other words, workplace values can be considered as a set of guiding principles that will help to shape the way you and your colleagues work together. When specific values are shared to be expected in order to work together in a professional setting, fewer misunderstandings will occur.
A happier, more cohesive and understanding environment will grow out of such a nurturing environment. And that’s got to be a win-win situation for everyone.
With all that being said, what are some of these workplace values that can help to improve the overall quality of your work environment?
In this article, you will be able to find out more about the workplace value of recognition and 3 ways you can practice recognition at your office.
What is recognition?
Sure, you and I know what the term generally asks of anyone in a social setting. However, what exactly does it mean?
According to Lexico.com, recognition refers to “acknowledgement of the existence, validity or legality of something”. It can also refer to “the expression of gratitude or appreciation for something”.
The third definition, and the one that we will be primarily referencing for the purposes of this article refers to “the action of showing that one has noticed someone or something”.
When placed into the context of a working environment, recognition can take on many forms at the workplace. As with any workplace value, we use recognition as a guiding principle to help us make better decisions as a colleague, and more importantly, as an individual.
How then we can apply it at the workplace? Read on to find out 🙂
How to practice recognition at the office?
Practicing the workplace value of recognition at the office doesn’t actually call for much effort! Meaning to say, that it does not need to be big or outlandish gestures.
We practice recognition through the simple, and daily acts of our everyday lifestyle. As such, here are 3 steps you can take to start practicing recognition within your own office space.
Express your appreciation and gratitude
Expressing your appreciation and gratitude is one of the first steps you can take to practice recognition at the workplace. How exactly? Recognition can just as easily be expressed through your simple words of appreciation at the office!
As such, the second way you can practice the workplace value of recognition is by taking the initiative to express your appreciation genuinely. Simply express your gratitude through a ‘thank you’ when a colleague helps you out.
Express your gratitude for the tiniest of things your colleagues do for you. That favour that they did for you must have surely taken even a little time from their day. Time that they could have used on something else. Say thank you because it’s the least we can do.
As Eckhart Tolle once said, “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance”. Taking a second to acknowledge the good people around you is one way to get started.
Thus, openly and genuinely expressing your appreciation is one way to practice the workplace value of recognition in the office.
Sharing praises and rewards with your colleagues
One can also foster recognition at the workplace simply by sharing praises and rewards with your colleagues.
Oftentimes, individuals work so hard at the office to check tasks off their lists that they completely forego their priorities. Take a moment to appreciate their efforts and contributions.
When new achievements have been unlocked, share your rewards and praises publicly. Everyone worked hard in front of everyone else. As such, when you share your praises, make sure they’re made public too.
This will encourage all employees to work harder towards both their personal as well as their organisational goals too.
So, sharing praises and rewards with your colleagues is one way to further foster the workplace value of recognition!
Trusting your employees
The third, but perhaps, the most effective way you can practise the workplace value of recognition is by trusting your employees.
Remind yourself that each employee joined the firm due to his or demonstration of their respective capabilities. As such, entrust your co-workers with responsibilities. Make sure that you don’t micromanage or hover over them.
Instead, express how much you trust them instead. Provide them with words of encouragement to motivate them towards their goals.
As Simon Senek once said, “A team is not a group of people who work together. It is a group of people who trust each other”. Trust one another’s potential. Trust that they will deliver. And when your co-workers do deliver, recognise their efforts!
And so, trusting your employees is one way to practice the workplace value of recognition!
What's next?
And there you have it – a piece on an absolutely critical workplace value of recognition. We hope the information in this article has helped you get a clearer idea of how you can better practice recognition at the workplace.
Instilling workplace values, like the above, at your office can rake in numerous benefits for every employee. Remember, a little effort can go a long way to ensure a happy and successful workplace for everyone!
Keep a lookout for other workplace values we will be discussing as part of this series soon! Searching for a new workplace that practices these workplace values? On the hunt for a new job?
If you’re on the lookout for jobs within other industries that are nonetheless located in Singapore, here’s an article that shares with you the top 19 job portals in Singapore.
No matter the industry or the position, remember to visit GrabJobs to find a job opportunity in Singapore easily!
