It is hard to identify the difference between someone just doing their tasks at work or exceeding expectations. Receiving peer-to-peer recognition is a great dopamine booster or it can destroy employee motivation.
As a leader, you already have plenty of other tasks to consider but even employee recognition and appreciation are essential. However, these efforts do not have to be just yours, there are several ways to build an effective peer-to-peer recognition program in your company culture.
What is Peer-to-peer recognition?
It is an expression of appreciation that is exchanged between co-workers. It allows your employees to know their colleague’s accomplishments. You can even choose Power2Motivate professionals for planning and making peer recognition work efficiently. Their programs are available all around the world in different languages. Combining passionate people and smart technology with your business enables you to foster strong relationships among your workforce.
Before approving peer appreciation, ensure that the employee is doing something worthy of nomination and commendation, or is it just their roles and responsibilities. For example, Ruby is answering the phone with a smile, John knows the company’s system well or Judy is easy to talk to. These are great traits but are not recognition-worthy.
An example of a valuable co-worker is the one that goes the extra mile like staying late to assist another staff from a different department to resolve an issue. Recognition has to be given where it aligns with your business goals, values, and performances.
Tips to establish peer to peer recognition successfully
- Top-down recognition is a huge compliment. Employees see their colleagues working hard daily that senior managers don’t. So, ask employees to recognize peers, who work beyond. Offer rewards at every team or company meeting.
- Nurturing an appreciation culture gives teams the liberty to appreciate peers anytime or anywhere. You can implement this kind of culture in several ways via team meetings, daily standup, or on your dedicated company channel.
- Just leave a card or a small note of appreciation on the colleague’s desk. There is nothing more necessary for the employee. He/she feels appreciated and valued for the contribution.
- Appreciation can be in the form of words or make employees feel special by offering a helping hand. It can be as important as supporting a project. Small offerings like grabbing a cup of coffee or some snacks from the company canteen.
- Even if a workplace has a professional environment, the staff brings emotions, beliefs, and ideas every day at work. Therefore, encourage employees to nurture friendship with their coworkers. The rapport and trust they build with one another make a vast difference. You can choose to randomly pair employees to take time, grab a cup of coffee, and chat.
- Whenever you hear a team member speaking optimistically about another coworker, make it a habit to share this positive feedback. Let the worker know because they feel if their work matters or not. So, act on the positive feedback because each word of appreciation counts!
When peer-to-peer recognition is implemented correctly, it builds team spirit, loyalty, enthusiasm, and productivity.
