What is your gratitude quotient? Especially as it relates to your employees?

Everyone wants to be appreciated, and to know that their workplace is better off because they are there each day. People want to know that what they bring to the table every day actually and literally adds to the success of the organization.

We definitely need these kinds of strokes from our co-workers, and we especially need and want to hear them from our supervisor and other ‘powers that be’. A leader’s words are powerful at motivating people to work harder and increase the engagement of employees.

We call these expressions of gratitude for people AFFIRMATIONS.

Dr. Paul White, one of the authors of The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, “almost half of all employees (over 45%) prefer receiving verbal praise as their primary language of appreciation.”

And Gallup found that employees who receive verbal praise on a regular basis (at least once per week) increase their productivity, are rated higher by customers, and are more likely to stay with an organization.

How do you, as the leader, provide those affirmations?

How to Affirm Employees

1. The more specific you can be the better. Specificity makes the praise more meaningful and personal. “You wrote a great report on the key indicators to watch for next year. It is a complex subject, but the report was very user-friendly and helped us direct some of next year’s goals.”
2. Find positives in performance. “You really thought of every detail for the event, and it really showed. Everyone had a wonderful time and we accomplished our goals.”
3. Point out positives in their characters. “You are always so upbeat and supportive in our team meetings—I really appreciate that.”
4. Praise leadership. “Thank you for spending time with the new recruit. Your mentorship of her is bringing her along quickly.”
5. Thank them for and affirm the value of their contributions. “We could not have gotten that account without your help pulling together data and putting the presentation together! You add a lot to this team and to the company.”
6. Don’t forget rewards large and small. Bonuses, half-days off, gift cards and lunches, accompanied by thanks and appreciation, affirm the value of the person and put your money where your mouth is.

You can’t succeed without your team. Taking the time to affirm them and their performance provides a big payoff in the long run. Make sure you take a few minutes each week to show a little love to your team.