Get Curious: Beyond the Basics

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Frequency

How often do you recognize your team's value beyond the annual review or promotion cycle?

If you wait for a raise or title change to acknowledge your people, you're missing an entire spectrum of ways to keep them engaged. What if recognition wasn't limited to monetary rewards or a new job title, but happened throughout the year in meaningful, personal ways? How does your team know you see their value when there isn't a formal reason to express it?

Get curious about how recognition can show up on a Tuesday afternoon or during a tough project, without the promise of a raise.

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Small Wins

Recognition isn’t just for big wins.

The daily grind is full of uncelebrated moments that build the foundation for those victories. Are you only applauding the obvious achievements, or are you noticing the small but critical efforts your people make every day? How might highlighting resilience during setbacks or perseverance in unglamorous tasks impact your team?

Curiosity allows you to see value in areas often overlooked.

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Personalization

People are motivated by different things.

Recognition, to be effective, must be personal. Do you know what motivates each of your team members? Does one person thrive on public praise, while another prefers a quiet one-on-one thank-you?

Tailoring your recognition approach to the individual is a powerful way to amplify its impact.

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Recognizing Growth

Recognition often leans towards results.

But growth, especially in the face of challenges, deserves to be celebrated just as much. Think about your team members—how have they grown this year? Did someone improve a skill they’d been struggling with or show a new level of confidence?

Recognizing personal growth reminds your team that their development matters to you.

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Insight: Proven Impact

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The Power of Consistency

Employees who feel seen and valued regularly are more motivated and engaged.

A study by Gallup found that frequent, meaningful recognition not only increases retention but also directly impacts productivity and morale (Gallup, 2023). Recognition doesn’t always mean lavish praise—it’s about being specific and timely. The Center for Creative Leadership emphasizes that leaders who recognize daily contributions foster stronger relationships and build trust.

Providing year-round recognition will make you a more impactful leader.

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The Value of Small Wins

Teresa Amabile’s research at Harvard shows that the acknowledgment of small wins is key to keeping teams motivated (Amabile & Kramer, 2011).

People thrive when they feel their incremental efforts are noticed. Big milestones take time, but progress is happening every day, in small and steady ways. When leaders learn to highlight these small steps, they create an environment where the journey is just as important as the destination.

This approach makes progress visible and keeps everyone moving forward.

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The Impact of Personalization

Research by Deloitte suggests that personalized recognition leads to significantly higher employee engagement (Deloitte, 2022).

To truly energize your team, align recognition with their intrinsic motivations and provide recognition in the way in which they're most receptive to it. When leaders take the time to understand intrinsic drivers—whether it's the desire to master a skill, have autonomy in their work, or contribute to something meaningful (Drive, 2009)—they can tailor their recognition in a way that feels authentic and impactful. This personalized approach creates a deeper connection that keeps individuals engaged, especially during challenging times.

Personalized recognition helps leaders deepen their team's commitment and engagement.

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The Significance of Growth

Research by Stanford psychologist, Carol Dweck, shows that emphasizing growth fosters a mindset that values learning and resilience (2006).

Recognizing growth rather than just final outcomes encourages your team to see challenges as opportunities to develop. When leaders celebrate the process of improvement—like effort, persistence, and skill-building—it creates a culture that values growth over perfection. This type of recognition makes individuals more willing to take risks, learn from mistakes, and continue striving for excellence.

Celebrating growth helps your team stay motivated, even when results take time.

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Action: Putting it into Practice

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Daily Acknowledgements

Develop a daily practice to recognize your team members for something specific.

Acknowledge how they handled a tough conversation, contributed to your team culture, or shared a creative idea. Share not only what you noticed, but also why it matters. This consistent acknowledgment can build trust and reinforce positive behaviors.

Whether it's a simple thank-you note or a message shared verbally at the start of a meeting, daily acknowledgements will have a big impact.

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Small Wins Board

Set up a "small wins" board for your team, either digital or physical.

Invite everyone to post their small victories, and encourage peers to acknowledge each other's contributions. This isn't just about recognition from you—it's about building a culture where the team sees and celebrates progress together. Over time, this practice will create a sense of collective momentum.

Acknowledging small wins will enhance morale and strengthen connections.

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Connecting the Dots

Take time to ask each of your team members how they prefer to be recognized and connect recognition to internal drivers.

It could be a simple survey, a casual conversation, or paying closer attention to their reactions when recognized in different ways. Use that information to shape your approach going forward. Showing that you understand and act on their preferences makes recognition meaningful.

Tailoring your acknowledgment to resonate with each person's intrinsic motivation strengthens your bond with your team and fuels their internal drive.

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Growth Conversations

During your one-on-ones, celebrate specific areas of growth you’ve noticed in your team members.

Highlight how their efforts have paid off in terms of their development, not just the outcomes they've achieved. This kind of recognition encourages continuous learning and gives them a reason to embrace challenges. By focusing on their development, you reinforce the value of growth over results.

It shows your team that you value who they're becoming, not just what they produce.

Recognition is a powerful tool—use it often and use it well, and you'll build a team that feels valued every single day.

Thank you for joining me this week, and see you next week for Part II!. Feel free to forward this to someone who might benefit from it.

Here’s to leading with purpose and curiosity!

Cheers,

Del

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