FCCS News & Insights

Building an Employee Recognition Culture

Creating a strong company culture that embraces employee recognition leads to improved employee satisfaction and ultimately contributes to organizational success.

Culture means different things to different people, but at its most general can be characterized by the combined employee sentiment across the entire organization. In assessing their organization’s culture, it’s easy but still important for leaders to consider what the happiest employees are saying about the organization, and what proportion of the employee base they represent. However, culture is really defined by what the least happy people in the organization have to say about it, so it’s critical to focus on what these employees are saying.

Every organization has a culture, whether by default or by design. Leaders who focus on the future of the organization proactively establish positive cultures. Ideally, the culture aligns with the mission and brand, and demonstrates to employees the impact their work has on the world. Creating a positive culture follows three steps:

1. Define the buy-in factor.

2. Define the core competencies expected of employees.

3. Incorporate an attitude of gratitude.

When intentionally designing a company culture, it’s critical that the organization’s leadership – from the CEO through mid-level managers – set an example for their teams by consistently demonstrating the desired cultural behaviors. Employees will replicate the leaders’ behaviors and actions that resonate with them; rewarding the desired behavior when it’s recognized in action will reinforce it.

When establishing an employee recognition program, organizations should build from whatever employee experience data is available. Ask for feedback from employees on how the program is working for and impacting them, and then use that feedback to make improvements to the program. Many organizations are finding success using point-based incentive programs [Please see related Passkey article.], which can help address the desire for increased wages.

Recognition can come in many forms, but in every case, sincerity is paramount. It’s also important to consider how your employees are receiving your efforts of gratitude. To encourage a culture of recognition, leaders should identify or create opportunities for employees to be recognized, offering gratitude themselves to model appropriate recognition efforts.

This article is based on a recent Forward Thinking podcast episode. Click here to listen to the full podcast with Don Nielsen, Employee Recognition Champion and Senior Strategic Partnerships Manager with Awardco.