We all want to be appreciated! Sometimes we just need to hear a simple “thank you”, “hey, keep up the good work”, or “we are lucky to have you on our team”. It’s important to hear these words from our loved ones and it is important to hear them in our work world.

However you choose to say it, don’t skip it. Positive feedback makes us feel recognized and appreciated, more confident in our tasks, it identifies what we have done right (and thus gives us a clue to what we should do more of), and it makes negative feedback and constructive criticism easier to accept and integrate.

What are ways you feel appreciated? Share them with us in our safe space and help spark ideas in others. You can also share the ways you aren’t being appreciated and we can talk about steps to take there too!

It’s Thursday and while the weekend is fast approaching I wanted to share my positive “lift up” for this week.  My four year old son’s babysitter was ill for the first part of the week.  To most working parents this can strike fear into what is probably already a hectic Monday.  I did at first worry about what this meant for my work week but I had the benefit of bringing my son to my office or staying home with him without facing any penalty for missed days.  I decided that he should accompany me to the office and I could still get work done.

We brought loads of entertainment and ‘busy work’ for him but at our office we have boxes of toys for the occasions that our little ones would have to accompany us.  What a wonderful relief this is for me as an employee.  Knowing that I can go get as much work done as possible (and yes, I did have some interruptions from the little one but I still was productive) and I don’t have to worry that he will be unwelcome at times like these.  My son ended up at our office for two and a half days until my husband’s work schedule allowed him to take care of our son.  Since I did not have to miss work I am not behind in the tasks that I had to complete this week. This flexibility is awesome.

If you are a manager or supervisor you might consider this kind of flexibility for those you supervise.  It can cut down the time employees have to be away from work and keep them from falling behind in what is already a busy work week.  If you have questions or want to talk more about this type of program contact us.