The Importance of Recognition
People love feedback it’s that simple. Think about the last time a coach, teacher, or mentor told you, “Great hustle, I could see how hard you worked,” or “This is excellent I can tell you gave it your all.” That feeling of pride doesn’t just sit with you for a moment it fuels you to keep showing up at your best.
The same is true for everyone you lead. Recognition is one of the most powerful motivators we have. Yet, one of the biggest reasons people leave organizations is because they don’t feel valued. This is especially true for younger generations if they don’t feel seen or appreciated, they won’t stay.
Here’s the key: be specific and deliberate. Don’t just say “good job.” Call out exactly what the person did and why it mattered. “The way you jumped in to help the team meet that deadline showed leadership.” “Your energy shifted the mood in that meeting.” Specific praise makes people feel not just noticed, but truly valued.
And please keep numbers out of it. People don’t feel inspired by profit margins or percentages. They feel inspired when they know their individual contributions matter.
Consistency is just as important. If recognition suddenly disappears, morale takes a hit. It can leave people wondering if their effort is invisible again. Recognition shouldn’t be tied only to financial wins it should be part of the daily culture.
That means listening for those small moments. If someone outside your team compliments one of your people, don’t keep it to yourself. Find that person immediately and share what you heard. Watch their face light up. That’s leadership.
Here’s something I did early in my leadership journey: I asked my team to define three words that best represented us. From that exercise, we created a symbol of who we were a wolf. From there, we designed three awards:
Team First Award: recognizing the person who went out of their way to support others.
Most Improved Award: celebrating growth in attitude, energy, or skill.
Wolf Pack Award: honoring the person who embodied the team’s spirit overall.
The Wolf Pack Award came with something extra special a custom jacket with both our company brand and a wolf insignia. It wasn’t just swag. It was a symbol of belonging and pride, something everyone wanted to earn.
Recognition doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be intentional, consistent, and fun. When people feel valued, they don’t just perform better they stay, they grow, and they help shape a culture others want to be part of.
