10 Easy, Free & Fast Ways to Make Things Better at Work

I'm going to rip off the band-aid and share the hard truth: A staggering 65% of employees say they haven’t received any form of recognition in the last year, and workplace loneliness is at an all-time high. That is TRAGIC! 

And it may be one of the sources of your declining employee engagement scores! (Declining engagement scores are like the flu lately- they're really going around!) 

Studies show that feeling unappreciated is one of the top reasons people disengage or leave their jobs. (Sources: Gallup & MIT Sloan Management Review.)

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Think about the last time someone truly appreciated you—not just a quick “good job,” but a moment when someone genuinely recognized your effort, your insight, or the way you showed up.

How did that make you feel?

• Seen?

• Valued?

• Motivated to keep going or give a little extra effort?

Now compare that to feelings of being overlooked, unrecognized, and under-appreciated.

It's awful—and we've all been there! 

As leaders, we have a powerful tool at our disposal: genuine appreciation.

And the best part? It costs nothing yet has the power to transform a team!

When people feel valued, engagement and trust skyrocket, retention improves, and overall team performance thrives.

So here’s a challenge for you:

1️⃣ Notice the good. Pay attention to what’s working, even in small ways, and SPEAK UP!

2️⃣ Make it specific. Instead of “Great job,” try, “I appreciate the way you handled that difficult conversation with patience and clarity. That was a great example of our values!”

3️⃣ Be consistent. A culture of appreciation doesn’t happen with a one-time comment—make it a habit. Set a daily goal and track your progress. 

When you lead with appreciation, you create an environment where people want to do their best—not because they have to, but because they feel valued. Isn’t that the kind of leadership we all want to demonstrate?

So – who will you appreciate today?

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10 Easy, Fun & Free Ways to Recognize Your Team Members!

💡 Spotlight Their Strengths – Take a moment in a meeting to call out a team member’s unique skill. (“Sarah, your ability to simplify complex ideas made that project a success!”)

📝 Write a Note or Thoughtful Email – A short, heartfelt note saying, “I see you, and I appreciate you” can make a lasting impact. (Get some paper note cards to make it extra special!)

🎤 Give Them the Mic – Ask them to lead a discussion, present an idea, or share their expertise. Recognizing a person's competence and interests is a powerful motivator.

⏳ Be Fully Present – In 1:1s, put your phone away, make eye contact, and actively listen. Giving your undivided attention is one of the simplest ways to make someone feel valued.

🎉 Celebrate Progress, Not Just Big Wins – Acknowledge effort, learning moments, and small victories. Momentum builds when people feel seen all along the way.

🌟 Give Public Praise (With a Personal Touch) – Give a shout-out in a team meeting or group chat, but make it meaningful. Instead of “Great job,” say, “Alex, your creativity in solving that customer issue really set a new standard!”

🔄 Ask for Their Input, Then Use It – Show appreciation by genuinely valuing their ideas. When you implement their suggestion, acknowledge them: “This idea came from Maria, and it’s making a big difference!”

📆 Surprise Time Out (Even Just an Hour!) – A small, unexpected break (“You’ve been crushing it—let's go out for a cup of coffee!") can go a long way in showing you see and appreciate their hard work.

🙌 Encourage Peer Appreciation – Appreciation doesn’t have to come only from you! Create space for teammates to recognize each other—maybe a “Kudos” channel or a quick shout-out at the end of meetings.

🎯 Tailor Appreciation to the Person – Some people love public recognition, while others prefer a quiet thank-you. The most meaningful appreciation is the kind that resonates with them.

You don’t need a big budget to make people feel appreciated—just intention and consistency.

Remember: Appreciation is like fuel—when people feel valued, they bring their best selves to work.

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Thank you for reading my HAPPY, HIGH-ENERGY WORKPLACE NEWSLETTER. If you're a self-motivated leader—with the title or not—seeking to grow personally and professionally, you belong here. I'm a true believer that work should be fulfilling, purposeful and results-oriented. I've spend 20+ years dedicated to helping individuals, teams and organizations build the communication skills and systems of effective, engaged, happy, high-energy workplaces. Be the leader who makes an impact!

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