Simple Ways to Show Appreciation at Work
Simple Ways to Show Appreciation at Work







	

			
		

	


		

It’s not just about what you say — it’s about what you do.
		
	

		



	October 16, 2023


	

			
				




	
				Lari Bat/Getty Images
		


	




	
	
		
			
				
						
	
	

					Post
				
			
			
				
						
	
	

					Post
				
			
			
				
						
	
	

					Share
				
			
			
				
						
	
	

					Annotate
				
			
				
						
	
	

					Save
				
			
			
				
						
	
	

					Print
				
			
		
	




	
		Appreciation, like trust, is relationship-based — each interaction we have with someone either strengthens or weakens that invisible connection. The more we feel appreciated, the stronger those bonds become, and the more tension they can withstand when something challenges it. Consequently, knowing how to build and maintain relationships where people feel appreciated is a foundational skill — one that’s important to learn from the very early stages of your career.

Appreciate people’s presence: People need to know that others care that they are there. Letting someone know their presence alone is having an impact on you or the organization can make a big difference. Notice when people are missing at work and reach out to make sure they are doing fine. Even if it is people’s job to be there, thank them for coming.
Appreciate their ideas and contribution. Managers and individual contributors alike need to show colleagues that their input is welcome and celebrated. Honor people’s ideas and expertise by talking them up in senior leader meetings. When people share input or feedback on a project, whether you like their idea or not, actively listen.
Appreciate people’s lives outside of work. Our jobs should help us live our best lives, not take them over. For people to feel appreciated, they need to know that we understand their passions, priorities, and responsibilities outside of work. They need leaders who respect boundaries and role model self-care, and coworkers who nurture a culture of support.
Appreciate people’s need for growth and development. While many people think development is about promotions and attending trainings, it is also about being around people who challenge us — managers that take time to understand and support our career goals, and coworkers who help us learn and grow. If you don’t already know the career goals and aspirations of your direct reports, take time to understand them. Ask your coworkers for feedback and tips on how you can improve and invite them to do the same with you.


	

					
						
	
	
		
			
				
						
	
	

					Post
				
			
			
				
						
	
	

					Post
				
			
			
				
						
	
	

					Share
				
			
			
				
						
	
	

					Annotate
				
			
				
						
	
	

					Save
				
			
			
				
						
	
	

					Print
				
			
		
	
						

						
								Some time ago, I was leading a workshop about appreciation at a UN agency in the Middle East. Alia, who attended the workshop, came up to me after the event to share a story: “My boss will sometimes come back from meetings frustrated and snap at me, but I never take it personally. We have been working together for years, we have lunch together, laugh together, and I know she appreciates me. So when something like this happens, I know she probably just got yelled at herself, and we’ll work through it once she has a minute to calm down,” she told me.
						

					
				

				
		

						


		New!
		
			HBR Learning
		
		
		
		Leading People Course
		Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Leading People. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
		What you need to know about being in charge.
		Start Course
		Learn More & See All Courses
	

						



      
					
			


		
		New!
			
				HBR Learning
			
			Leading People Course
			Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Leading People. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
			What you need to know about being in charge.
			
			
		
		
		
	

	




				