Let me ask you a question: how happy are your employees? Do they like their work? Do they feel recognized for their efforts? Do they feel appreciated for being a part of your team? An unhappy worker may be 10% less productive than other personnel. With that being known, what can you do to make your team happier?
In one study, college students were divided into three groups. One group listed five things they were grateful for that week; another wrote about five hassles; and the third listed five events (positive or negative) that had happened. After ten weeks, researchers found that the students who had listed things for which they were grateful felt healthier, more optimistic and more positive about their lives. They even exercised more and slept better than the other participants. And these benefits do not apply only to students. Other research shows that people who feel appreciated at work tend to be more productive and willing to work harder than those who do not feel valued.
In a similar vein, expressing appreciation at work could improve employee engagement. Studies show that seven in 10 workers whose bosses recognized their efforts described themselves as happy with their jobs. Other research agrees that providing team members with specific, positive feedback could improve motivation, productivity and participation.
For more context on this idea, check out the accompanying infographic below!
