A Lack of Recognition Costs Energy
Feedback? Not likely. Sharing important information? Unfortunately not. Voicing personal opinions? Not required. These are examples of careless behaviors that seem to be all too common in many German companies. According to the recent PINKTUM survey titled “Heute bin ich krank“ (I’m Sick Today”) nearly half of all employees feel undervalued. The repercussions are significant: frustration and a poor work environment, a decline in loyalty to the organization, heightened feelings of powerlessness, and an increased tendency to call in sick. A staggering 24 percent of participants feel that their presence is inconsequential, while 28 percent question the rationale behind continuing to work “when everything is going downhill anyway”.
Appreciation is an Attitude …
In contrast, appreciation has a well-documented positive impact on motivation, indentification, and overall well-being. But what is appreciation really? While its importance is widely acknowledged, the term is often used incorrectly. Appreciating someone goes beyond merely praising their achievements; it involves recognizing and valuing them as unique individuals. Nevertheless, many managers continue to evaluate their employees based on their job functions alone. Consequently, it becomes challenging for them to offer genuine recognition on equal footing, especially beyond the use of generic phrases when things go well.
… and Management Task
In addition, many managers are often oblivious to the significant social and emotional role they play relating to their employees’ commitment and the overall work environment. They also often don’t realize that inattentive or unappreciative behavior can be perceived as disrespectful. On top of that, most managers are under so much pressure themselves that they feel they don’t have time for such considerations. But they not only have to monitor task distribution, but also keep an eye on workloads, placing them in a crucial position to address issues related to employee burnout and sick leave.
Establish Clarity, Demonstrate Appreciation, and Empower Individuals
It is essential for management and executives to ensure that every employee understands their role and the value of their contributions to the overall success of the organization. This acknowledgment of individual contributions, dedication, and the person behind the performance should be actively cultivated and integrated into the corporate and management culture. Because feeling needed plays a crucial role in enhancing self-esteem, boosting motivation, and providing the collective strength to tackle challenges together during difficult times.
Increase Appreciation!
Using their Wheel of Strength, PAWLIK can help you foster appreciation with coaching and tools specifically tailored to your company, for example the “Appreciative Communication and Leadership” training course.
Tips for Cultivating Appreciation
- Express sincere interest in the person you are engaging with
- Pay attention to both your verbal and non-verbal communication in daily interactions
- Always give constructive feedback
- Continuously communicate appreciation — not just on special occasions. Stay authentic to maintain credibility.
Would you like to find out more about PAWLIK’s Wheel of Strength and how you can use it for your company?
Get in touch with our expert Andreas Kaufmann.
