What is it about your job that makes you want to stay? Is it your super flexible schedule, rollover PTO hours, and amazing insurance coverage? Maybe. But even with amazing benefits, there’s one thing that can make or break an employee’s experience at a company: the people you work with.
As Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This sentiment rings true in the workplace as well. That’s why building strong, positive workplace relationships is the foundation of a fulfilling company culture—and that starts with peer-to-peer recognition.
Shoutouts Can Transform Your Workplace
Recognition plays a pivotal role in shaping and maintaining a positive workplace culture.
Employees who feel valued and acknowledged for their contributions are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and respectful of their coworkers. This positive feedback loop is only the beginning of the connection between peer-to-peer recognition and company culture.
Positive reinforcement in the workplace encourages repeated desirable behaviors by recognizing and rewarding them, rather than focusing on mistakes or shortcomings. These strategies are intricately linked to your company culture. For example, workplace incentives can vastly increase employee performance, while consistent praise can increase dopamine levels in the brain, leading to feelings of pleasure and motivation.
The Benefits of Recognition
This link between peer recognition and company performance is undeniable—so it’s time for your company’s culture and management style to reflect that! If your company values praise and appreciation, you’ll naturally see these benefits:
- Higher Employee Engagement: Did you know employees are 2.5x more engaged when managers hold them accountable? Plus, feeling recognized makes employees half as likely to quit as those who don’t. A little accountability and appreciation go a long way in showing your team you value their contributions!
- Improved Retention: Engagement and culture matter! Studies show that the main reason employees leave jobs is poor workplace culture. Fostering a positive, inclusive environment helps retain top talent and keeps your team happy and motivated to stick around for the long haul.
- Increased Job Satisfaction: Culture beats salary! Over 77% of people consider a company’s culture before applying, and 79% weigh its mission and purpose. Creating a meaningful workplace culture makes employees more satisfied and proud to be part of your organization.
- Engaged Remote Team Members: Remote workers often feel lonelier than on-site employees. Building connections between remote team members through regular praise, positive reinforcement, and peer-to-peer recognition can make them feel more included, supported, and engaged—no matter where they’re working from!
How to Turn “Thank You” Into Team Success
Peer-to-peer recognition is an essential element in building a positive and successful workplace culture. Ready to get started? Here are some tips on how to turn a simple “thank you” into team success:
Focus on Memorable Types of Recognition
Research on employee recognition found the most memorable types of recognition include:
- Public recognition or acknowledgment via an award, certificate, or commendation
- Private recognition from a boss, peer, or customer
- Receiving or obtaining a high level of achievement through evaluations or reviews
- Promotion or increase in scope of work or responsibility to show trust
- Monetary award, such as a trip, prize, or pay increase
- Personal satisfaction or pride in work
Get Buy-In From Every Level
An effective recognition program needs support from all levels of an organization. This includes leadership, managers, and employees themselves. Without peer-to-peer recognition from all levels, the program may not be successful or sustainable.
Implement Build Then Bless: The Ideal Culture-Building Software
The Build Then Bless platform is changing the game for workplace recognition by making it easy and fun for employees to celebrate each other. With this peer-driven employee recognition system, anyone on the team can give a shoutout for hard work, big contributions, or even a joke that had everyone laughing.
But it gets even better—recognition can come with a little extra! You can give your employees the option to attach a cash bonus from a “giving fund”, which can be saved and redeemed for e-gift card rewards. This simple, meaningful peer-to-peer recognition creates a more inclusive and supportive workplace where every effort is noticed and celebrated.
Read some examples from our own team at Lemonade Stand!
Start the Transformation With Build Then Bless
Get ready to transform your workplace culture and create a positive impact on your team’s morale, productivity, and overall success. Schedule a demo and explore the meaningful tools and resources we’ve built to change how your company culture is shaped!
