Job satisfaction is at the core of the reward system for most workers. The salary is just a means to an end – the real reward system in the brain gets kicked off when you show appreciation to your employees through intangible means. The value of these rewards really cannot be measured by the number of dollar bills. Don’t just put them off with a formal, meaningless, undervalued “thank you for your job” nor with the clichéd “employee of the month” award. These half hearted means of showing gratitude only serves to deepen their feelings of being unappreciated.
Here are 5 ways you can show appreciation to your employees
1) Ask them to share tips with other employees
The best way to lend credence to the importance of their work is to encourage productive employees to share the secrets of their success with everyone else at the workplace. This is a subtle means to tap into their rewards system by validating their achievements and making them feel that they really do have something of substance to contribute to your company’s bottom line.
2) Reward them for their work
Take them out to various team building activities such as beach trips where they can bond with each other. Better yet, take them out to surprise dinners to exotic locations in your city. Your selected teammates should only know the date and time while keeping the venue a secret. The mystery will keep them hooked – this is a psychological means of strengthening their loyalty towards you.
3) Take them out for kayaking
The best way to work as a team? Kayaking in a boat where every single team mate pulls their weight by using the double-bladed paddle in a front to back motion. They can simultaneously build upon their leadership, communication and teamwork skills.
4) Kart racing is friendly competition
Your employees may be competing head to head with each other in the cut-throat environment of your office, but what if you could turn the toxic nature of their competition into a fun filled activity by going out kart racing? It doesn’t matter who wins or loses, everyone gets to sit on the fun little car and interact with each other in hilariously unique ways. Something they could reflect back on and talk about for years.
5) Let them make important decisions
The best way to acknowledge their importance is to let your employees make critical decisions for your company. This way, you make them feel important while also reducing the burden on your shoulders by delegating some of your entrepreneurial responsibilities onto them. Trust is not a one-sided phenomena, it goes both ways. By letting your employee know that you trust them with the success of your company, you’re not only able to retain them but also show them the highest form of appreciation. It also serves as a means of putting down any paranoia they might have about the status of their future employment with you. With trust comes the guarantee that you won’t be laying them off when someone more skilled comes along.
