The power of praise: why it’s worth appreciating employees and colleagues
Praising at work is not just a way to improve performance. It’s also a key to better well-being and a positive team atmosphere. In 2023, Gallup conducted the "State of the Global Workplace" survey. The results showed that among respondents in Europe, during a typical day:
- 37% experienced stress during the day
- 15% reported feeling anger
- 17% admitted to feeling sadness
- 14% experienced loneliness
As the research shows, it’s worth taking care of a positive atmosphere in your environment. Simply put, praise is one of the easiest and most effective tools to achieve that.
In the article “Secrets of Effective Praise,” Jarosław Kulbat draws attention to the research of Mark Leary and Roy Baumeister. The scientists analyzed various functions of self-esteem and their impact on human psychology. As a result, they emphasize that recognition and praise play a key role in building a sense of self-worth. The higher our self-esteem, the better we feel.
Moreover, research by Jo Hyeon and Shin Donghyuk shows that appreciating employees significantly affects their engagement. When employees see that their effort and achievements are recognized, their motivation increases. They are also more willing to take action.
But how can we praise effectively?
How to praise in a meaningful way
Not all praise works as intended. To be effective, it’s worth keeping a few principles in mind:
- Be precise and specific – point out exactly what was done well.
- Justify the praise – explain the reasons for your positive feedback. This increases the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated in the future.
- Maintain balance – praise should match the achievement. Don’t overdo the enthusiasm for minor successes.
- Separate praise from criticism – don’t combine positive feedback with negative remarks. This makes the message inconsistent.
- React quickly – give praise as soon as possible after noticing the positive behavior. This increases its effectiveness.
- Be sincere and authentic – praise should be given with genuine engagement and without artificiality
- Adapt the form to the individual – take into account the preferences of the person being praised, such as public or written recognition. This helps avoid situations where someone might feel embarrassed or uncomfortable with public praise.
- Praise for meaningful aspects – Focus on elements that are important for the recipient’s self-esteem or areas where they may lack confidence.
Not just for managers!
In addition, appreciation should go both ways. Not only should managers praise employees, but coworkers should also recognize one another. It's worth remembering that a few kind words from a teammate can significantly boost motivation. It also has a positive impact on the workplace atmosphere.
Similarly to employees, managers and leaders can also benefit from constructive feedback from their teams. Open communication and feedback from employees help them better understand the team’s needs. They also support the development of leadership skills. This, in turn, helps build an effective and friendly work environment. Additionally, recognizing a leader’s efforts can be just as motivating as praise directed toward employees.
In summary, praise is a simple yet highly effective tool. When well-articulated, it boosts engagement, increases job satisfaction, and improves team relationships. If you’re not yet in the habit of appreciating your coworkers — it’s worth starting. It costs nothing, and the results can be truly surprising!
