Lean Quote: Employee Appreciation Day

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed."   —  Napolean Hill

Today, March 1, marks annual Employee Appreciation Day, which has taken place on the first Friday of every March since 1995. Employee Appreciation Day encourages managers of all levels to support and reward their employees, and to show their appreciation!

Employee Appreciation Day is all about your employees. Celebrating the value they bring to your organization as individuals is a great way to increase employee engagement, commitment, and motivation. It's important to make employees feel valued.

It seems like a simple concept: Make employees feel appreciated, and they will work harder and be more loyal. But there is often a disconnect between the type of appreciation employees want and what their managers think they want.

Employees should be appreciated each and every day, but hey – why not make them feel extra special with these ideas.

Focus on Fun 

Employee Appreciation Day is the perfect excuse to have fun at work! Your employees are used to the everyday work grind. If you throw in some fun activities or games, it will be a memorable and refreshing break from the same old, same old.

Snacks are Essential

Food is a great motivator. Present me with a cupcake and I will remember it for the rest of my life. Throw a celebration with no food at all? I will remember that for the rest of my life, too. Okay, I might be a little dramatic BUT either way, food is a celebration must. Food brings people together. It’s the centerpiece. It’s what connects us all at the end of a long workday.

Recognize Publicly

Recognizing your employees publicly for a job well done is an underrated idea for showing employee appreciation. As a boss, your positive words can greatly boost employee morale, especially if the praise is given in front of colleagues and peers.

Simply Say “Thank You”

This one might seem super obvious. Make sure to take some time to say thank you with intentionality. A heartfelt thank you can make employees feel valued, motivated, and appreciated for their efforts.

Recognition cannot be an afterthought. It must be deliberate and timely. Whether it’s a simple thank you or more formal recognition, people want to feel appreciated at work. They want to feel a sense of purpose, and that they are part of something bigger than themselves. The right employee appreciation program can help make those connections and much more.