6 Things You Can Do To Create a Culture of Appreciation
People work harder and better for people they know care and appreciate what they do. In the fast-paced and dynamic world of retail, where the demands on teams are high, and the environment can be challenging, creating a culture of appreciation is crucial for success. Store and field leaders at all levels play a pivotal role in shaping the work environment and the well-being of their teams. How they lead, and how they treat and support their teams is often the biggest differentiator between sustained success or an underperforming or failing location. Leadership and appreciation matter. A lot.
Showing your team your appreciation doesn’t have to be difficult. It can be as simple as a genuine and authentic thank you as soon as you see the effort being made by your team members. That could be it. End of article. But I did want to share some other ideas. You can use these tips to show your full appreciation to those who put themselves on the line to bring your vision to life and engage directly with the customers your company serves.
Ask what they like
Asking, then listening, is knowing. Find out from your team members what they like. This can be a great thing to capture when a new team member is hired and onboarded. Little things like their favorite candy bar, their favorite drink, the restaurant they like the most. Even finding out what movies they enjoy, knowing their hobbies and actives outside of work can provide the clues you need to personalize small gestures of appreciation. Not all recognition has to be in the form of a gift card or monetary reward, but occasionally that is an excellent way to say thank you, especially when it's for something that is tailored to their personal preferences.
Team events, in honor of…
Celebrating wins as a team goes a long way any time. Making that celebration in honor of someone’s specific accomplishment is an even better way to show appreciation and gratitude for the individual effort, as well as the impact on the team. As with anything on this list (or any other list) you do not want to over use this, especially if it ends up being the same person all the time. That can get awkward and even work against what you’re trying to achieve. But the occasional team celebration in honor of “Sally’s high-achieving district results” can make an impact on more of the team than just Sally.
Special opportunities
Providing unique and genuine career building opportunities is a perfect way to show your appreciation as well as make it a developmental opportunity. This can also be a tricky one. The ‘opportunity’ cannot feel like a ‘voluntold’ situation, where you’re sending them to something that really isn’t that much fun. But imagine a situation where a well-known speaker or author is doing a workshop in the local area. You present the opportunity to attend with pay and the event fees covered. That is a tremendous way to express how much you value their work and their ongoing personal development.
Being flexible
This may sound too simple to matter, but I know this one gesture can go a long way. Being flexible with scheduling or working around different life events is of huge value to many hourly and even salaried employees in retail. Retail can be an ‘always on’ environment, but we all have lives outside our stores or districts. When a leader is willing to work with people who work hard, to help them with that life outside of work, it means a lot. Don’t undervalue this type of recognition and appreciation for your team.
Planned events
There are many ways you can show your appreciation through planned events as well. While some of these may not be possible without some support from your corporate leadership team, they do play a role in gratitude. Events like employee appreciation sales events where discounts and special offers are provided can be a nice offering to a large group. You may be able to do more localized types of planned events as well, something like wearing your favorite sport team jersey for sporting events. The Super Bowl is coming up, it’s a perfect time to let the team show their team colors (even if they’re not in the big game). It just an enjoyable way to give the team a change of pace and recognize that they work hard each day.
The element of surprise
Who doesn’t like a surprise? On the opposite side of the planned spectrum is providing surprise events as a form of recognition. This can be applied on a group or individual level. One word of caution here, and it goes back to the first thing on this list: know your employees. Providing a surprise public form of recognition to someone who is more private and doesn’t like the spotlight may not appreciate this as much as someone who revels in attention. Use the surprise element in the right setting and for the right people (individually) to ensure it carries the meaning you intend. Imagine having a balloon bouquet that you didn’t expect, delivered to work or (even better) to your house on a day off, thanking you for your extra effort on a project or taking great care of a customer. It would be a pretty cool gesture, and something you’re likely to remember for many years to come.
Showing your appreciation and ultimately creating a culture of it will make a difference. As the leader, you are the starting point. When you show your gratitude, the team will also celebrate each other. That is the true value here and how a culture is born.
In the retail industry, where customer interactions, sales goals, and operational challenges are part of the daily routine, it's easy for employees to feel overwhelmed and undervalued. Research consistently shows that a culture of appreciation not only boosts employee morale but also enhances productivity and overall job satisfaction. As a store or multi-unit leader, investing time and effort in recognizing and appreciating your team can lead to a more positive and motivated team. The tips above can assist in getting you started, but building the practice of showing appreciation into your regular routine will ensure everyone sees how much you value your team’s efforts. This will lead to growing trust and a fully engaged team that can tackle any situation they face and continually deliver top-tier results.
What steps will you take to build a culture of appreciation?
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